The National Junior Chess Championships got underway on Thursday at the Kiwatule Recreation Center with over 200 players taking part.
The 33rd edition has children in the U-7, U-9, U-11, U-13, U-15 and U-17 categories in both the boys and girls sections.
Patricia Kawuma, who is fresh from the Chess Olympiad, Edwin Pido who in June, represented Uganda at the World School Individual Chess Championships in Panama, Mathew Mwase, Elvis Mugisha siblings Maria Nakanyike, Victor Kanyike and Vincent Buwule are some of the headline stars in this competition.
It is an event blessed with talented youngsters prompting national team coach Harold Wanyama to term this a ‘golden generation’.
“This event is so interesting because there are about 10 potentials that can win it. I’d call this a golden generation age. We have many potentials, you can’t predict the winner. The future is certainly bright.”
Uganda Chess Federation is using the event as a qualifier for the Africa Junior Chess Championships U-20 set to take place in Algeria between 12th and 20th November as the overall winners from each category will qualify.
The event is also being used to select players for the 2022 African School Individual Chess Championships due in December in Monrovia, Liberia as each winner from each age group will earn a spot in the team.
The first three rounds ended with 36 players on three points, after all, winning their opening three games..
Action returns on Saturday with the last three rounds.
