Chess: Uganda's prodigies command opening rounds at Africa schools meet
Wabwire, who competes in the U-11 boys’ category, began his campaign with a 1-0 win over Djibril Chibayi Ongaye before defeating another Kenyan, Emanuel Gomes, in the second round.
Uganda's youngsters returned to action on Sunday after an unbeaten start to the tournament in Nairobi, Kenya. Photos by Julius Kafuluma
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Ugandan junior chess champions Alvin Muhiirwe and Ronald Wabwire opened the Africa Schools Individual Chess Championships with dominant displays, raising hopes for Uganda’s quest for gold medals.
Wabwire, who competes in the U-11 boys’ category, began his campaign with a 1-0 win over Djibril Chibayi Ongaye before defeating another Kenyan, Emanuel Gomes, in the second round.
He is currently the highest-ranked player on the continent in his category, though his gold medal hopes will be tested against Kenya’s Nathanael Manyeki, ranked second in Africa, as well as South Africa’s Emilio Goncalves and Zambia’s Dinodia Priyanshu, whom he has yet to face.
Muhiirwe, meanwhile, also opened his account strongly, notching three consecutive wins against Kenyan opponents before settling for a draw in his fourth match against the tough David James Warimwe.
After four rounds, Uganda has registered significant success in both the U-15 boys’ open category and U-13 boys’, where Daniel Odokonyero has recorded four wins out of four with five rounds remaining.
Juliet Asaba is another medal hopeful for Uganda, currently leading the U-13 girls’ category with four wins from four games. Both Asaba and Suhana Amil Yadav remain unbeaten and are the top-ranked players in the U-13 girls’ category on the continent.
Patrick Ojok, secretary of the Uganda Chess Federation and head of delegation, expressed optimism that Uganda would win some medals despite stiff competition from hosts Kenya, who registered over 900 participants.
Round five resumed today, Sunday, with the Ugandan players aiming for their best-ever African performance. Uganda’s last gold medal came in 2021, when Pido Edwin triumphed in the U-15 category.
The 12 winners in each category will go on to represent Africa at the World Chess Championships in Brazil next year.
Selected results
Tandeka Shillow (UGA) 1-0 Sean Kimani (Kenya)
U-15 Open
Alvin Muhiirwe (UGA) 1-0 Alvin Gerald (Kenya)
U-15 Girls
Asiimwe Olivia (UGA) 1-0 Keira Sanford (Kenya)
U-13 Girls
Suhana Amil Yadav 1-0 Ivy Ndungu (Kenya)
U-13 Open Boys
Daniel Odokonyero (UGA) 1-0 Enrique Githinji (Kenya)
U-11 Open
Ronald Wabwire (UGA) 1-0 Emanuel Gomez (Kenya)
Janelle Rovena (UGA) 1-0 Shillongo Percy (Kenya)
Round 5 fixtures
U-9 Category
Francis Tumwine (UGA) vs Cronje Frederick (Namibia)
Kobutungi Janet (UGA) vs Tiana Arison Oringo (Kenya)
U-13 Boys
Daniel Odokonyero (UGA) vs Simiyu Jordan (Kenya)
Dara Tendereza (UGA) vs Sakodie Addo Hare (Ghana)
U-13 Girls
Asaba Juliet (UGA) vs Wambui Zipora (Kenya)
U-15 Open
Alvin Muhiirwe (UGA) vs Abel Toji (Kenya)