Candidate Master (CM) Maxence Murara’s title hopes took a hammer blow on Saturday, as 19-year-old Rongin Munyurangabo refused to be intimidated by his opponent’s seniority and experience and engineered a crucial win in the fifth round of the ongoing 2019 National Chess Championship at Onomo Hotel, in Kigali. After defeating CM Godfrey Kabera, in round 4, on Friday, Murara led the table with four points, followed by Kabera and Munyurangabo, respectively, with the latter tying on 3.0 points. Munyurangabo and Kabera, both with four points, after their respective round 5 wins are now meeting in round 6 starting late Saturday afternoon. In round five, Munyurangabo versed Murara while Kabera played against Eugene Mugema Kagabo who was then fourth with 2.5 points. Kabera won. Kabera’s win meant that he kept his title hopes alive and will play round 6 determined to tame the youngster. After round 5, the top three were Murara, Kabera and Munyurangabo, respectively, who were all tied on 4.0 points. Joseph Nzabanita, the 2018 national male champion, had a rough start on Thursday and Friday and his chances to retain the title diminished. Nzabanita beat Kagabo in round 1, lost to Murara in round 2 and did not show up in round 3. He defeated Florent Niyongira in round 4. In round 5, the former champion was paired against Valentin Rukimbira who he defeated but his chances are still not clear, with his 3.0 points. In round 6, Munyurangabo plays against Kabera while Murara (playing black) has a relatively easy opponent in Ben Tom Zimurinda. Come Sunday evening, Sandrine Uwase will retain the female national chess championship title for a record third consecutive year after she conquered her first four opponents and maintained a convincing lead in the first two days of the tournament. After round 4 on Friday, the 17-year-old had four straight wins (4.0 points) followed by the 2016 champion, Marie Faustine Shimwa, with 2.5 points. Uwase defeated Shimwa in round 4 to make sure the title is safe whichever way the wind blows in the women section’s fifth and final round which will be played Sunday afternoon.
