Kawuma sets sights on Africa Championships

Zone 4.2 Individual Championship 

Uganda's FIDE Master Patrick Kawuma (ranked 2279) has now set his eyes on bettering his performance at the forthcoming Africa Individual Chess Championship slated for late this year in Algeria.

The 27-yr-old finished in 10th place with 5pts last year at Tick Hotel in Kampala but still believes he can do better this time round following his performance at just concluded Zone 4.2 Individual Championship in Ethiopia.

"You learn new techniques each time you're challenged and therefore I am prepared to finish among the top five this time," Kawuma said.

Meanwhile at the Zone 4.2 championship, Kawuma finished in second position with 7.5pts in the open category, a place better than at the 2015 edition.

He beat Kenya's Deshpande Satish, Ricky Sang and Peter Gilruth, Ethiopia's Fekadu Jimma and Yirga Nigussie, Nadir Samir (Sudan) and teammate Haruna Nsubuga but drew and lost against Egyptian's IM Ameir Moheb and GM Essam Elgindy in the fourth and sixth round respectively.

"We were both nailed to the wall and any attempt would mean either of us loses so we surrendered for a draw with Moheb. But for the game against Elgindy, I accept he was better," said Kawuma.

But in the absence of the defending champion and Uganda's IM Arthur Ssegwanyi, Egyptians GM Elgindy Essam won with a tally of 8pts in nine rounds.

Kawuma's colleagues, Nsubuga and Joshua Katumba finished in fourth and 15th place with 6pts and 4.5pts respectively.

In the women's side, Uganda's WFM Ivy Amoko, Shakira Ampire and Peninah Nannozi finished with 6, 4 and 2.5pts in fourth, 11th and 14th place respectively.

Open

GM ELgindy Essam (EGY) 8pts

FM Kawuma Patrick (UGA) 7.5

IM Ameir Moheb (EGY) 7

FM Nsubuga Haruna(UGA) 6

CM Abera Gezachew (ETH) 6 

Women

Wafa Shahenda (EGY) 9pts

Elansary Eman (EGY) 6.5

Deshpande Sanjana (KEN) 6.5

Ivy Claire Amoko (UGA) 6

Abate Lidet (ETH) 5