Nsubuga determined to retain Zabasajja Memorial chess title

 

 

Venue: Nob View Hotel, Ntinda

 

Round-One (top 10)

 

IM Arthur Ssegwanyi 1 points

 

FM Patrick Kawuma   1

 

FM Haruna Nsubuga   1

 

Walter Okas         1

 

CM Bob Bibasa       1

 

Simon Gonza         1

 

Rajab Kamoga        1

 

Paul Kafuko         1

 

Emmanuel Egesa      1

 

 

The 27-year-old with a rating of 2222 was off to a colourful start, beating lower-rated Peninah Nakabo (1655) in the first of the eight rounds contest.

 Christine Namaganda (right) makes a move during the game against Simon Gonza (left) at the Zabasajja Memorial Chess Open at Nob View Hotel, Ntinda. PHOTO: David Namunyala

"I started well and I am not ready to look back," he said.

 

The Kireka Chess Club player added that he is determined to defeat anyone who stands in his way and that the zeal to retain the title at the event that was last held in 2013, arose last month when he clinched the Rwanda Chess Open crown in Kigali.

 

However, the absence of FIDE Master (FM) Harold Wanyama and International Master (IM) Elijah Emojong increases Nsubuga's chances of retaining the title.

 

Nsubuga has nevertheless identified highly rated Arthur Ssegwanyi (2361), Patrick Kawuma (2343) and Walter Okas (2207) as his only threats to the crown.

 

"It's not that am scared of meeting them, but once you're playing these guys, you can't be sure of a win. They can do anything to turn the game around at the last minute but I am determined to challenge anyone who comes my way," he said.

 

While in the other rounds, Ssegwanyi picked a point from WFM Goretti Angolikin on table-one while Kawuma and Okas also started with victories after defeating Patrick Mukasa and Farah Mohamed on board-two and four respectably.

 

On board five, Bob Bibasa humbled Shakira Ampaire as Christine Namaganda fell to Simon Gonza on board-six at the event that has attracted 80 participants.