Chess stars in show of skill

By Samuel Sanya

UGANDA'S national chess team comprising Harold Wanyama, Arthur Ssegwanyi, Bob Bibasa and Haruna Nsubuga is facing Kenyan opposition in Nairobi.

The players are involved in a two-day international friendly, the first between the two countries with a similar event planned for next year.

Kampala will be venue the next phase of the rotational series.

Kenya’s team at the event ending today, is led by Mehul Gohil. The players will face each other under the scheveningen system.

Hinga Githinji, Ben Magana and Peter Gilruth complete the Kenyan line-up in the event being used by  both countries to prepare their players for the 40th World Chess Olympiad due in Istanbul, Turkey later this year.

 Profiles of Uganda’s team

Harold Wanyama

He is a highly rated player, currently playing on board one (the highest) for Mulago Kings Club, the 2011 national league champions.

Wanyama won the East African Championship title in 2008 and 2009. He also holds titles in the Mombasa Open, the All Africa University Games and the Rwabushenyi Memorial event.

Arthur Ssegwanyi

He is the reigning national champion. Playing on board two for Mulago Kings Club, he finished third in last year’s Rwabushenyi Memorial event.

Ssegwanyi won the Nairobi Open in 2009 and was part of Uganda’s team at the World Inter University games held in China last year.

 Bob Bibasa

He is the most senior player on the team in Nairobi and a Candidate Master (CM) after a strong performance at the in 2010 Olympiad.

He won the New Vision sponsored national championship in 1997, 1999 and 2002 besides a number of other titles.

 Haruna Nsubuga

He is the youngest player on the team in Nairobi, the least experienced but very talented.

He is the 2011 national junior champion. He finished joint first at the Mombasa Open last year.

The youngster is expected to rise to the task in Nairobi given that he is up against a skilled opposition.

He is a player who enjoys new challenges.

The event presents a perfect opportunity for the player to show what he is capable of doing.