Round #1 Report  - Daniel Nsibambi (Uganda)

Hi All,

It was a big tussle against the more experienced and higher rated Canadians. By the end,  it was only Steven Kawuma rated 2053 at table 3 who managed to grab a half point from Mark Bluvshtein (2449). This gave the Canadians victory at 3.5 against Uganda's 0.5 points.

Otherwise Grace Nsubuga (2224), Shadrack Kantinti (2200) and Ignatius Wanderema made a good account of themselves before they respectively succcumbed to Alexandre Lesiege (2531), Yan Teplistsky (2455) and Jean Herbert (2425).

Nsubuga made his man sweat for the longer part of the game but in the end experience took the upper hand. Teams in Group B such as Uganda do not usually expect to produce miracles in the first game as they are pitted against 'heavyweght' opponents. Many B-class  teams have therefore earned zero points   this afternoon. The next round is easier because your next opponents have the same or nearly equal  points with you.   

By the time I am sending  this, Amon Simutowe (2339) of Zambia had  managed a draw against  a Grand Master from Bosnia Herzegovina ( over 2500) to earn another hard earned half point for Zambia.  

The games resume tomorrow at 2.00 pm local time which is two hours behind East African Standard time. The total number of registered  country teams is 141 for men with 998 players while there are 86 country teams  represented by 498 ladies.

The duration of the games has been shortened during this Olympiad with players being  allowed only 90 minutes to finish a game. Each move however earns   a bonus  additional 30 seconds. That is all the time you have and the new system has put a few players in time trouble. Uganda has been using it for the National league so our players are no strangers to it. Games used to last over 7 hours in previous Olympiads while  in the distant past, there used to be no time limits. Games would be even adjourned and played the next day.

The organisation is superb and so far so good. The boys are in good mood inspite of the loss. Hope to update you in due course.

Best regards,

Daniel