Wanyama, Kamoga lead pack

Aug 11, 2009

HAROLD Wanyama and Rajab Kamoga thrust to the top of the world chess Olympiad qualifiers after superb performances over the weekend.

Chess Olympiad qualifiers
Standings after round four
1. H. Wanyama 4pts
2. R. Kamoga 4
3. S. Kantinti 3
4. J. Okoth 3
5. A. Ssegwanyi 3

By Phillip Corry

HAROLD Wanyama and Rajab Kamoga thrust to the top of the world chess Olympiad qualifiers after superb performances over the weekend.

Wanyama and Kamoga, who won all their fixtures, lead the standings with four points apiece . The two lead a pack of 32 top rated national players in a 12 round event that will see the top 10 proceeding to the third and final phase where five players will qualify to represent Uganda at the World Chess Olympiad in Russia.

Wanyama was in good form beating Michael Mawanda in round one, veteran Joachim Okoth, former junior champion Walter Okas in round three and national champion Shadrack Kantinti in a tightly contested match.

Kamoga cleared Mohammed Omony, Festo Owinyi, Arthur Ssegwanyi and former national champion Grace Nsubuga in rounds one to four respectively.

Kamoga displayed a high level of brilliancy when he tamed hard-fighting Ssegwanyi in what is considered the best game of the tournament. Ssegwanyi succumbed in 23 moves of the Italian game when the threat of a smothers mate became inevitable.

The Olympiad is chess’ world premier event whose 39th edition take place in Kanty-Mansiysk, Russia next month.

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