Finally after overcoming the struggle to attain visas, the Chess Cranes pawned off their first round at the 45th Chess FIDE Olympiad ongoing in Budapest, Hungary.
The tournament got underway on Wednesday, September 11, but due to hiccups in acquiring the required entry permit, the Chess Cranes were forced to sit out the opening two rounds.
Fide Master Patrick Kawuma, Woman Candidate Master Shakira Ampaire and WCM Sana Omprakash Kayyar- three of the team members- obtained their visas on time, and arrived in Budapest on Monday, but with majority of the team members left behind, Uganda had to forfeit the opening two rounds.
A five-man team however, consisting of FM Haruna Nsubuga, Mark Nyola Wasswa, WFM Ivy Amoko, Milly Takali and Patricia Kawuma touched based in Hungary on Thursday, and focus immediately turned to the board.
On Friday, they got the pieces talking! The Open category had Uganda face Djibouti in the third round, and it was smooth sailing for the East Africans as they won the tie 3-1.
Kawuma, Nsubuga and Nyola eased through their boards, Uganda losing board two only by forfeit as CM Emmanuel Egesa is yet to touch base.
It was a clean sweep however, in the Ladies category as Uganda beat Cameron 4-0. Ampaire, Omprakash, Kawuma and Takali all bossed their respective boards.
It was a perfect start for the Ugandans. They will now face Barbados and Lebanon in the Open and Ladies category respectively in the fourth round.
Ugandan neighbors Kenya have played three games, but have just one win to their name. They will face Trinidad and Tobago in the fourth round.
Tanzania on the other hand is yet to see a win. They have played three games so far, but have just a draw to their name. They will face Palau in the fourth round.
