Uganda’s only representative at the Africa Individual Chess Championship ongoing at the Hor Moheb Hotel in Giza, Egypt, Woman Candidate Master Shakira Ampaire is optimistic of a great tournament despite what she called a ‘bad beginning’.
Despite arriving late in Egypt and missing the first round, Ampaire didn’t start terribly. The No.3 seed in Uganda drew with Paulo Jemima from Angola in the second round, however, she lost the third round to Mohammed Azzab Mareim.
“Games are tough,” Ampaire said. “At the moment, I’m at the bottom of the list but I’ll climb up.
“I’m going to do very well despite my bad beginning. I didn’t come all the way from Uganda to just fail. I’m a hard worker.”
Winning the tournament might be a big ask for the Ugandan as the field contains some of the continent’s best, but she will hope to finish in better positions.
The winner of this competition earns the Grand Master title in the Open category and the Woman Grand Master title in the Women section.
The tournament is also a qualifier for the 2024 FIDE World Cup and the 2024 FIDE Women’s World Cup.
Ampaire will face Jolly Nepando in the fourth round seeking for her first win at the tournament.
The Namibian, a Woman Candidate Master herself hasn’t also won any game. She lost all her three games. With the Nepando’s lower rating, Ampaire will fancy her chances of winning her first game.
