Fide Master [FM] Harold Wanyama’s return to competitive chess will see him face Kenya’s Candidate Master [CM] Wachira William Wachania in the first round as the Mombasa International Open gets underway at Oshwal Academy Mombasa on Wednesday 18th April.

The event will be Wanyama’s first since coming out of his brief retirement two weeks ago, and in the first round, the four-time Olympian will meet the rated 1884 on board two in the Prestige category.

The 36-year-old retired from competitive chess last year in December, but decided to re-grace the board after being ‘coerced’ by the organizers of the event.

Wanyama’s last competitive event was the inaugural Kireka Chess Club Open where he finished seventh with 5.5 points last year.

Wanyama will be joined by four other Ugandans including International Master [IM] Elijah Emojong, FM Haruna Nsubuga, Allan Mathias Ssonko and Joseph Kaamu in the Prestige category. They will be competing for the top Prize in the category.

Emojong starts the tournament ranked No.1 and will play against Joseph Atwoli in the first round on board one.

Nsubuga takes on Brian Kidula while Ssonko meets Ramesh vasanth.

The Open category has only unrated Fred Okiring as the only Ugandan compete in and he faces James Kabui Nyaga rated 1531in the first round.

In the Ladies section, Woman Fide Master [WFM] Christine Namaganda plays against fellow Ugamdan Ivy Kayesu in the first round.