Ssegwanyi’s national title defence under test

National junior champion Haruna Nsubuga confident of outlasting current title holder.

Arthur Ssegwanyi faces a stern test as he begins his National Men’s Championship title defence at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel today.

National junior champion Haruna Nsubuga, Kenneth Kakooza, Daniel Baggadde, Richard Kamoga, Farouk Fauza and Simon Gonza are some of the contenders set to challenge the reigning title holder in the three- day event, which climaxes on Sunday afternoon.

Ssegwanyi, a Bachelor of Pharmacy student at Makerere University, is optimistic he will retain the title.

“I have been training,” Ssegwanyi said. “I know my challengers are very strong but I am ready to tackle them.” However, Nsubuga is in high spirits following his remarkable performance in the 2012 National Junior Championship. He is confident of outlasting his seniors. “I know I can win the title,” Nsubuga said.

In the ladies’ category, Deborah Wanja, Joy Kabengano and Barbra Akoli will vie for the title against reigning champion Grace Kigeni.

Unlike the past editions, this year’s tournament will be played in two phases. The first phase will feature players without international ratings/rankings. The top six performers then proceed to the next phase.
“The second phase to be held in April will see the top six qualifiers taking on rated players,” Uganda Chess Federation president, Vianney Luggya, wrote in an email. The time control to be used is a flat two hours per game, which implies that each player will have a maximum of one hour to complete their game.

A total of seven rounds will be played based on the Swiss format with two games played today, three tomorrow (Saturday) and two on Sunday.

odongoj@ug.nationmedia.com