For the first time since his switch from Dmark, International Master Arthur Ssegwanyi will play for his new club Kireka A.
The IM, fresh from scooping a bronze medal on board one from Egypt where he and his Kenyan club Equity took part in the African Clubs Chess Championship, starts his Kireka A journey against their sister club Kireka B.
The two sides meet in the seventh round, with Ssegwanyi lined up on board one against Rajab Kamoga.
Board two will witness an interesting bout between Fide Master Harold Wanyama and Fred Okiring. Okiring is the lad who humbled Kenyans to triumph at the Mombasa International Open in the Open category three months ago.
While their sister club has already lost twice this season, Wanyama believes they are a strong side and that it will be an uphill task edging them. The FM is right to be wary because his particular opponent has lost only one game out of the five he’s played. Okirng has two victories and as many draws.
The defending champions have FM Haruna Nsubuga fielded on board three. Nsubuga faces a familiar opponent in Paul Kafuko. The duo met at the Super Eight Rapid Chess tourney last month and the FM twice came tops.
Simon Gonza will sit this one out. He has been replaced by namesake Simon Isiko on board four and on board five; Shakira Ampaire is back for Kireka. She will face Penninah Nakabo.
Dmark out to regain momentum
Dmark’s last two league engagements ended unpleasantly. The record league winners lost round five and six to Gambit and Kireka A respectively hence diminishing their chances of regaining league glory.
They face Aviation in the seventh round looking to return to winning ways. Former national team coach Bob Bibasa returns to board one and he will have former Uganda Chess Federation [UCF] Technical Director Stephen Kisuze to contend with.
On board two is FM Patrick Kawuma. The Olympian faces former UCF president Vianney Luggya, and Walter Okas is pitted against Godfrey Luberenga on board three.
Dmark’s board four and five have John Kikonyogo and WFM Christine Namaganda respectively. The two verse Peter Maguzi and reigning USPA Female Chess Player of the Year Joyce Kabengano respectively.
The dark horses
SOM Katwe is no doubt the surprise team in the league. In a league that was expected to be a two-horse race between Kireka A and Dmark, Robert Katende’s side leads the table standings with maximum points.
They remain the only team in the league yet to drop points. Next up for them is a team that beat up the record league winners, Gambits. The side will hope to continue with their winning ways as they relish the summit.
SOM lead the table with 16 points, one above Kireka A placed second. Dmark are five places and four points adrift of the top.
How can I join any team …..I need. Your help…