Emojong to raise Ugandan flag at zonals

The Uganda Chess Federation has confirmed sending 2011 East Africa Chess Champion, Elijah Emojong to represent the country at the Zone 4.2 Africa Chess Championship to be held in Khartoum, Sudan from 19th to 29th May 2011.

Elijah Emojong

Zone 4.2 also comprises of chess power-house Egypt, Sudan, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Ghana, Seychelles and Uganda. Each country is only allowed to send a maximum of three players in each of the men’s and ladies categories.

The zonal winner of each category becomes an International Master (IM) while the second and third in each category become FIDE Masters (FMs). Uganda has only two FIDE Masters, UK-based brothers Moses Kawuma and Stephen Kawuma.

Fast rising 19 year old Emojong, who only started playing competetive chess in 2007 is currently one of the strongest and most consistent players in Uganda. He boasts of winning two major trophies out of three major tournaments held in the last six months.

He won the Rwabushenyi Memorial Chess Championship with 7 out of 8 points in December 2010 after beating more experienced Olympians. He finished eigth in the Zabasajja Memorial Rapid held in March 2011 before winning the East Africa Championship over the Easter weekend (22nd – 25th April 2011). On his way to victory, he humbled among others Uganda’s 2010 Olympiad team players including Harold Wanyama, Patrick Kawuma and Shadrack Kantinti.

Winners of the zonal chess championships also qualify to participate in the 2011 World Cup.

Emojong is expected to fly to Sudan aboard Ethiopian Airlines on 18th May 2011.

Vianney Luggya
President
Uganda Chess Federation
P.O. Box 2355, Kampala – Uganda.
National Council of Sports Headquarters, Lugogo
Tel: +256-752-426559
Email: ugandachess@yahoo.com
Website: https://uganda.fide.com