Eight chess players go head to head this weekend in the first leg of the final round of the qualifiers for the 41st World Chess Olympiad scheduled to be held in Tromso Norway from august 1st to 15th.
Eugene Kagabo (L) seen playing against Theotime Rutaremara (R) in the first round. P. Kabeera
The first leg is due today and Sunday at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) while the second leg will be played on May 17 and 18 before the national team is picked.
Qualifiers started last year in November and attracted 20 participants. Out of the 20 participants, only 8 have made it to the final round.
The best five after head to head performances will be picked for Norway’s Chess Olympiad.
The Rwanda Chess Federation’s Kevin Ganza said that the federation boasts of good chess players but only the best five will represent Rwanda at the Olympiad.
“Eight chess players will play against each other over the two legs to determine the best five,” added Ganza.
The eight players seeking to vie into the national team include reigning champion Candidate Master (CM) Jean Baptiste Hakizimana, Godfrey Kabera, Eugene Kagabo, Alex Ruzigura, Alain Niyibizi Patience, Murara Maxence, Rutaremara Theotime and Fidele Mutabazi.
By Pontian Kabeera, The New Times
