Uganda sends 45 youngsters to Nairobi for Africa Mashariki Junior Chess tourney

Uganda’s young chess talents have travelled to Nairobi, Kenya to take part in the Jumuhia Africa Mashariki Junior Chess Championship, which kicked off today.

The two-day event, now in its third edition, has attracted participants from five East African countries and is designed to promote chess from the grassroots.

Uganda is represented by a 45-player contingent that travelled by bus yesterday to compete in the tournament, which runs today and tomorrow. The team will feature in the U-1600 and U-1800 rating categories, primarily covering the U-8, U-10, and U-12 age groups.

The youngsters are competing under the Great Thinkers Chess Academy, a Kisasi-based club led by CEO Jude Kalanzi. While this is the third edition of the championship, Uganda is making its second appearance.

The tournament is one of several regional competitions aimed at preparing youth players for the Africa Youth Chess Championships, which are scheduled to take place in Kampala next year.