UGANDA REBOUNDS AND SECURES NOTABLE WINS IN THE WORLD AMATEUR CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS OMAN.
UGANDA ACHIEVED REMARKABLE VICTORIES IN THE FINAL ROUND, RECOVERING FROM A DEVASTATING DEFEAT IN THE PENULTIMATE ROUND OF THE 2023 WORLD AMATEUR CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS (WACC) IN MUSCAT, OMAN.
Team Uganda rallied in a spectacular display of skill and determination, securing two crucial
wins in the final round (round 9). This triumphant finish allowed FM Nsubuga Haruna & CM
Faruk- Fauza Karim Kizza to end the tournament on a positive note. These results however
followed a resounding loss in the second-to-last round (round 8) of the 2023 World Amateur
Chess Championships in Muscat, Oman.
In the eighth round, all hopes were shattered for Team Uganda as they succumbed to 2 defeats
in their matches. However, despite the disappointment and setbacks, the team refused to be
disheartened. In the final round, with nothing to win, our participants played with great national
pride and determination, dismissing their opponents with remarkable wins. It was a patriotic
display to build on next time and many players in Uganda have found the courage to attempt
winning the championship next year.
The exceptional performance of Team Uganda in the 2023 World Amateur Chess Championships
will undoubtedly open doors for aspiring Ugandan chess players to attempt participation in
future world championships. The players were well aware of the significance of their
performance and the opportunities it could create.
The overall performance of FM Haruna and CM Faruk Fauza as shown below
Through their participation, several connections have been established with participants from
the Middle East, signaling the potential for Ugandan chess players to attend events in the region
in the near future. Additionally, on 9th November 2023, the announcement of a single tourist
visa for the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman by the Ministers of the GCC countries
further enhances the prospects of attending a series of events with ease.
The host federation president, Ahmed Al Bulushi, proved to be incredibly friendly and set a high
standard for future hosts. There are numerous lessons to be learned from Oman, both in terms
of player development and hosting international events. The event itself was graced by several
FIDE officials, with Arkady DVorkovich, the FIDE president, in attendance, Ozgur Sokaloglu
serving as the Chairman of the Appeals Committee, and several others.
Overall, the 2023 World Amateur Chess Championships in Muscat, Oman, provided an amazing
platform for Team Uganda to showcase their talent and resilience. The lessons learned and the
connections made during this tournament will undoubtedly pave the way for future Ugandan
chess players to participate in prestigious international events.
The return of our players from the 2023 WACC coincides with the departure of our Youth team
to the upcoming World Youth Chess Championships in Italy, scheduled to commence on
November 13, 2023. It is undoubtedly a busy season for the Uganda Chess Federation (UCF),
with teams transitioning and competing in full swing on the African Continent, internationally
and locally in Uganda. Details of the World Youth event are on the link below; https://chessresults.com/tnr843255.aspx?lan=1&art=0&fedb=UGA&flag=30&zeilen=999
Credit :
Eng. Mwaka Emmanuel
President, Uganda Chess Federation (UCF)
