Uganda starts off strongly at the African Junior Chess Championship

Uganda started fairly well as the 17th edition of the Africa Junior Chess Championship started at the Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel in Entebbe on Friday.

The Swiss-format nine-round competition saw Ugandan youngsters register several wins across the different categories, with Uganda’s Woman International Master (WIM) Sana Omprakash Kayyar leading the show in the U-18 girls’ category.

Sana beat her compatriot Zuri Tatiina in the opening round before she lost to South African Monchosi Atlegang in the second. The latter had also beaten another Ugandan, Kylee Keza Katongole, in the opening round.

Chess AYC-Jannele Rovenna Nyakato Aturinda

The other wins for Uganda in the same category were registered by Patience Angel Atella, who beat Kenyan Maureen Chanzu before losing to Egyptian WIM Mohamed Zaki Jana in the second round. Hailey Nio Mitchelle also won her game against Mary Annan Oyendo, before she lost her second-round match to Kenyan Woman Candidate Master, Bella Nashipae.

In the U-18 open category, Uganda’s Deng Kur Akut beat Williams Enrique Byanasaye before she also lost to Zambian Amolly Siameja. Shiloh Tandeka had mixed results against Kenyan opponents, Joakim Ogiri and Samuel Wanjala,, winning and losing against the latter, just like Edmond Lwanga, who beat Kenyan Joseph Joe Mwangi before losing to Fide Master South African Nathan Judah Levitan. Aaron Daron Mulungi beat Kenyan Suter Marc before he lost to Egyptian Fide Master Elhusseiny Eyad.

In the U-16 open category, the Ugandans registered mixed results with Innocent Baguma winning against Isaac Mugerwa Basalidde before he lost to Kenyan Richard Muthumbi, Alvin Muhirwa beat Kenyan Brandon Ben Mwangi Kuria before he lost to Botswana’s Wu Zeyin, while Uganda’s Arena Fide Master (AFM) Shoubhith Omprakash Kayyar, ranked third in the tournament, beat Kenyan Daniel Omondi before she also lost to Manuel Mwine Bujara.

Uganda’s Omara Samora beat Kenyan Gavin Ngure Kiarie before he lost to Zimbabwean Ngwenya Simphiwe Thabiso. Kathan Mickey Mwanje also got the better of Kenyan James Maina before he lost to Libyan Ezzeddin Tawfik Kweiri. Despite losing his opening game against Kenyan Lewis Ikuua, Ugandan Munanukye Manzi recovered to beat South African Juan-Louis Combrink, while Jonathan Ndawula beat Kenyan Maxwell Anyona before losing to Madagascan Aiko Tojomalala. Haris Ahabwe also beat Kenyan Michael David Migosi before beating Elvis Muigai Kamau, both from Kenya.

It was the same for Joseph Prince Muhanguzi, who beat Kenyan Ryan Magana before losing to Malawian Patil Vijaykumar Shivasai. Karim Ssenyonga also opened well against Ryan Muriuki before losing to AIM, Ahmed Gamal El Deen Yaseen from Egypt. Kamadah Bomboka Ssajjabi lost to Malawian Dominic Chitsime before beating Namibian Fritz Junior Hangue.

In the U-16 girls’ category, Olivia Asiimwe opened with a win over Brown Amelia Lesheni of Namibia before losing to her compatriot Nyatia Aimee Ahumuza. Suzan Namukobe beat Kenyan Jade Ikwap before losing to Motswana Toor Noor Fatima. Angel Patricia Asiimwe beat Kenyan Stephanie Mbithe before losing to South African Naidoo Kajol, and Abigail Mawerere Kyosiime beat Talia Tamara Waweru before she lost to Nicole Ajackaa.

Mixed results continued in the U-14s, where Daniel Odokonyero won against Kenyan Dani Munene Wanda, before losing against Alex Nio Nolan as Apollo Ahumuza also won against Dave Amuriat Rouel before losing to Emmanuel Atukirize, Edwin Eden beat Edon Opondo before losing to Caleb Musimenta Turyagenda, Trevor Tumukunde won against Eliud Oruru and lost to Wesley Kithinji Nyakundi, Martin Okurut beat Grant Ndavula before losing to Franklin Apollo, Dara Tendereza won against Ian Serian before she lost to Ayden Mburu, George Ssempijja collected half points against Jayden Luttah and Keith Karuga Muriithi Mbeke, Karl Kwezi Katongole also won and lost against Kenyans Justin Muchemi and Moses Ouma respectively, as Sankara Oyang also won and lost against Lenny Shila and Reagn Kamau Nyanga respectively.

It was the same for Dalton Alinaffe Ssenyonjo against Kelly Maari Sosi and Silas Mwanzi, while Kiyan Alpesh Hiran beat Lesotho’s Moorosi Thato before he fell to Egyptian Ahmed Mustafa Faris.

Emmanuel Atukirize, Nolan Alex Nio, Israel Kuteesa Ssebakijje, Benjamin Daniel Mwesigwa Serwadda, and Jethro Manzi Asiphiwe Rwabose also won their opening-round games in this category.

In the U-14 girls’ category, Uganda’s Women candidate, Master Juliet Asaba, also opened with a win against Kenyan Hope Hawi Ochieng before she lost to Aloo Nyobala, just like Anil Yadav Suhana, Ruth Thelma Lukanga Muganzi, Aine Atubet, and Ethel Kwagala Eliza, who beat Joy Wambui Njoroge, Anabel Mawerere Kirabo, Maria Nalubega and Jeriah Tukamushaba, respectively.

In the U-12, Ronald Wabwire beat  Kenyan Barak, Alpha Muwanguzi beat Jayden Mor Obuya, Abraham Katusiime beat Kenyan Jason Jude Lumula, Augustine Turyatemba beat compatriot Romah Kayiira, Jaeden Andrew Tendo Kaweesi beat Kenyan Jayden Lee, Austin Babukiika Kukunda beat Kenyan Leon Leshan Laanoi, and Siddhant Sujeet Singh beat Kenyan Ethan Leon Tindi.

In the under-12 girls’ category, Uganda’s Chanelle Manuela Okurut Iculet started strongly with wins over Kenyans Maxine Wambui Ihura and Rehema Eunice Wambui Maimba, just like Talia Atubet, who beat Maya Alma and Ashar Nyambura as well as Tosha Torana against Melanie Wawira Mbogo and Shantell Asaji, picking two points apiece.

In the U-10 open category, Elvis Tumusiime also picked up wins over Jayden Ngigi and Emmanuel Ologa Osiko, just like Arena Candidate Master Ugandan Hathi Yug, who beat Kenyan Joe Stev Junior and Ugandan Gonzaga Atugonza. Francis Tumusiime also collected two early points, beating Kenyans Kayden Gichuhi and Jabari Bosco Njoroge, just as Daryl Amazing Ssenyonjo did, beating Leo Mwihia and Leon Bravin Olela. Abba Kuzala and Daniel Amuriat also won their opening games.

 Uganda’s number two, Mother Manjeri Nursery and Primary School’s Julian, Royina Nyangoma Aturinda, also opened strongly in the girls' U-10 after she picked up wins over Kenyan Joy Wanjiku Githagi and Zimbabwean Shemiah Manyoni Matipa Ropafadzo, just like her twin sister Janelle, Rovenna Nyakato Aturinda, who beat Naomi Wamwenje in the opening round.

Uganda also performed well in the U-8, where Alpha, Agaba Nsenga, Matthew Jason Amanya, Amani Onapa Bariki, Levi Kyambadde, Aretha Karabo Kembabazi, Marie Efata, and Psalm, Nicole Tamale, among others, won their games against different opponents.