Fide Master Walter Okas, the national youth chess coach insists the juniors that represented Uganda at the inaugural World School’s Team Chess Championship did a ‘decent’ job in Kazakhstan.

Uganda had a representation from two schools including Friends International Christian Academy and Peak Primary School. Out of the 27 schools that took part in this competition, Uganda took the 24th and 25th positions with Peak finishing just above FICA.

Both schools attained two victories each at the eight rounded tourney, but FICA lost a game more (5) than their counterparts. While Okas believes the youngster didn’t perform to their full potential, he insists it was a decent outing.

“Certainly they didn’t perform to their full potential, but the kids had a very decent performance considering the limited time they got for training prior to the event.”

Okas was particularly impressed by one of the juniors. Kayla Mulindwa had the best return with 4 points garnered from seven games, but Okas was mainly impressed by Ruth Thelma who managed 3.5 from the same number of games.

“Thelma Ruth was the outstanding performer for me. Her play was composed and calm.”

Nine players; Ruth Thelma, Kayla Mulindwa, Natalie Nakandi, Elizabeth Saasi, Chanelle Iculet from Peak and Timothy Mulungi Serwadda, Samora Omara, Benjamin Mwesigwa Serwadda and Sankara Oyang from FICA represented Uganda, all in the U-12 category.

Mulungi (1025), Mwesigwa (1114) and Oyang (1262) were the only rated Ugandans at the tourney that came to it’s conclusion on Monday.