The Uganda National Junior chess team currently competing at the FIDE World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad finally got into the winning column in Netherlands.
Uganda entered three teams into this competition. All three teams lost their opening two rounds, with Uganda A losing to India and Uganda B and C losing to Switzerland and Netherlands C respectively in the first round.
The sides lost the second round too to their respective opponents, but Uganda 2 composed of Shiloh Tandeka, Ethan Kigundu, Mathew Mwase and Tatiana Zuri secured Uganda’s first win.
That victory came in the third round and it came against a regional rival, Kenya. While Zuri lost her game, both Kigundu and Mwase won theirs and Tandeka drew his as Uganda won the game 3.5-0.5.
Uganda 1 comprising of Arthur Mwase, Edwin Pido, Nygaard Ajiri and Caroline Nabirye then held the flag high in the fourth round. The four swept away Cayman Islands’ quartet with a 4-0 win.
Uganda 3 is yet to win a game, but their player Hailey Michelle Nio was the first Ugandan to win a game at this Championship. Nio on board 4 beat Yamaka Misaki as the side lost 3-1 to Japan in the second round.
By press time, the fifth round was ongoing. Uganda 1 is facing Chinese Taipei 1, Uganda 2 is against Thailand 2 while Uganda 3 is up against Malaysia. All three sides are on Black.
