In the ongoing 2018 National Chess Championships at IPRC-Kigali, defending champions Dr Ben Karenzi and Sandrine Uwase took no hostages in round one on Saturday as they won their respective first games.

Uwase, 16, and Karenzi were last December crowned as 2017 female and male National Chess Champions, respectively.

Dr Ben Karenzi, former commandant of Rwanda Military Hospital, dispatched Pacifique Iradukunda in round one and waited for round two where he was paired against Joseph Nzabanita, in what would be the champion’s first real test against really tough opposition.

In the women section, Sandrine Uwase, a teen from the Kigali suburb of Gikondo, defied the odds when she defeated Woman FIDE master (WFM), Joselyne Uwase, 15.

Fresh from the 43rd Chess Olympiad, in Georgia where the World Chess Federation (FIDE) confirmed the title – the first in Rwanda – Joselyne was considered to be the biggest threat to the reigning champion but it is clear the latter still has some vim and vigor to reckon with.

By press time Saturday, Sandrine was yet to play 18-year old Nice Isimbi, in round two, while the upset WFM was to duel with a victorious Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Christelle Uwamahoro after the latter tamed Happiness Mutete in round one.

At the 43rd Chess Olympiad, Uwamahoro who was a reserve player, also impressed to earn a title.

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