The annual Genocide Memorial Chess Tournament starts on Friday with last year’s winner, Alexis Ruzigura, expected to pull all tricks in an effort to hold on to the title.

According to the Rwanda Chess Federation (FERWADE) president, Kevin Ganza, the seven-round competition, will not be rated but will still be an improvement from the previous one, both in organization and number of competitors.

Ganza says the proposed venue of the tournament in which "more than 30 players are expected” to compete, is at IPRC-Kicukiro, but he does not rule out the possibility of a last minute change in the course of the week.

Last year, Ruzigura retained his title in an event that attracted 46 participants up from 32 in the previous year’s edition. He garnered 5.5 points from six games to finish ahead of Ben Tom Zimulinda and Elysee Tuyizere who were second and third, respectively.

With her four wins, Odile Kalisa was the best female player last year, but she will not get a chance to defend her crown as she will be playing in the qualifiers of the women section of the national team for the 2016 Chess Olympiad.

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