Day 4 of the historic Kenya Open 2022 Edition saw Ugandans occupying the top three spots after round eight.
FM Haruna Nsubuga, FM Patrick Kawuma and Emmaunel Egesa all from Uganda had 7 points to claim the top three positions.
Mehul Gohil was the top Kenyan with 6.5 points, together with FM Harold Wanyama of Uganda and James Panchol of South Sudan.
IM Arthur Ssegwanyi, who was the top seed at the start of the event, was defeated by compatriot FM Haruna Nsubuga in round eight. He now has 5.5 points and is in joint 4th position and 16th in the ranking. IM Arthur Ssegwany faced more misery when James Panchol of South Sudan forced a draw in a hotly contested game.
Mehul Gohil played well to extract two points from Collins Young and Ben Nguku in rounds seven and eight.
Martin Njoroge, the 2021 Kenya Champion, has 5.5 points and is in joint 4th position and 24th in the ranking.
In round seven, Kenyan hopeful CM Ben Magana squeezed a draw against FM Haruna Nsubuga but fell to FM Patrick Kauma in round eight. CM Ben Magana has 6 points and is in joint 3rd position and 11th in the ranking.
Upcoming Kenyan star Brian Irungu failed to overcome Emmanuel Egesa during round seven of the event. Brian Irungu ended up with 5 points and 26th in the ranking.
In round seven, the 2019 Kenya National PWD Champion Sadam Ali continued his stellar performance by dismissing 1990 Kenya Champion Larry Kagambi. However, in round eight Sadam Ali, fell to Elvis Likoko.
The final 9th and final round will be thrilling for the top spot, with an impressive KES 120,000 (USD 1,000) as the cash prize.
FM Haruna Nsubuga of Uganda faces compatriot Emmanuel Egesa on board one. Both players have seven points.
Board two will have FM Patrick Kawuma, who has seven points, taking on FM Harold Wanyama, who has 6.5 points.
James Panchol will take on Mehul Gohil on board three. Both have 6.5 points.
Ladies section
In the Ladies section, WCM Joyce Nyaruai and Triza Mwendwa lead with six points each.
2022 Kenya Open on chess-results.com.
2022 Kenya Open Day 1 Report.
2022 Kenya Open Day 2 Report.
2022 Kenya Day 3 Report.
Aluta Continua on the 2022 Kenya Open by Mehul Gohil.
Joseph Methu wins 2019 Kenya Open.
FM Harold Wanyama wins 2018 Kenya Open.
