Team Uganda v Nairobi Chess Club 11th & 12th February 2012

This weekend promises to hold a lot of fireworks for chess lovers in this part of the world. The oldest chess club in Kenya and probably this part of Africa hosts a strong team from Uganda for a match popularly known as “Battle for Migingo”.

“Migingo” is a small island in the middle of Lake Victoria and to which Uganda claims to belong to them.  Apparently it is a small island with massive fishing potential.  Have I ever been there ? Never.

Team Uganda team will be led by the following four players; Arthur Ssegwanyi (National Chess Champion & 3rd in Rwabushenyi Memorial Championship), Harold Wanyama (Rwabushenyi Memorial Chess Champion), Bob Bibasa (Candidate Master & 2nd in the Rwabushenyi Memorial Chess Championship), Haruna Nsubuga (National Junior Chess Champion & tied for first position in National Chess Championship). The team manager is Christopher Turyahabwe whos is the General Secretary of Uganda Chess Federation.

Nairobi Chess Club will be represented by Peter Gilruth (Kenya’s number 1 player), Ben Magana, Githinji Hinga and Mehul Gohil who have all represented Kenya in various international events.

The venue for this event is Goan Gymkhana Club which has become the pilgrimage site for chess lovers in Nairobi.

View of the battle field

Mehul Gohil of Nairobi Chess Club takes a sip of Migingo water

Bob Bibasa of Team Uganda views the battle front

Arthur Ssegwanyi of Team Uganda concentrates his efforts

Peter Gilruth of Nairobi Chess Club in a familiar pose

Ben Magana of Nairobi Chess Club with wildlife prints on his shirt to scare his opponent

Arthur Ssegwanyi of Team Uganda

Haruna Nsubuga of Team Uganda

Githinji Hinga of Nairobi Chess Club

Harold Wanyama of Team Uganda posing for "Migingo TV"

Here are some action photos for you to check out the event.  This is a rated event and is on the FIDE website.  There was some drama between the club and the national body over the rating of this event the details of which I will put up later.