13th African Games Individual Rapid: Egypt clinch double gold
Team Egypt continued to dominate the 13th African Games chess competitions, with Bassem Amin and Shahenda Wafa winning rapid open and women’s tournaments, respectively. The open event, a six-round Swiss tournament, saw the rating-favourite GM Bassem Amin and the ninth seed CM Donaldo Paiva of Mozambique get off to a great start, both winning three straight games. The co-leaders clash in Round 4 ended in a draw, but in Round 5, Bassem beat FM Jemusse Zhemba (Zimbabwe) and pulled away, as Donaldo suffered a defeat at the hands of FM Harold Wanyama of Uganda. Going into the final round a half-point ahead of Wanyama and a full point ahead of a group of four people, Amin made a quick draw with Gomolemo Rongwane from Botswana, but it was enough to clinch gold with 5/6. His main rival fell to Donaldo Paiva, who tied for second place with Adlane Arab of Algegia and deservedly took silver thanks to the direct encounter win. Final standings: 1 GM Bassem Amin EGY 2580 5 2 CM Donaldo Paiva MOZ 2162 4½ 3 IM Adlane Arab ALG 2415 4½ 4 FM Gomolemo Rongwane BOT 2085 4 5 FM Harold Wanyama UGA 2117 4 6 IM Fy Antenaina Rakotomaharo MAD 2378 4 7 IM David Silva ANG 2423 4 8 IM Chitumbo Mwali ZAM 2276 3½ 9 FM Jemusse Zhemba ZIM 2140 3 10 FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha NGR 2292 3 Complete final standings The women’s event was a very close affair with a dramatic ending. Going into the final round as the sole leader with 4.5/5, the top seed Shahenda Wafa was a half-point ahead of Lina Nassr of Algeria and needed just a draw. However, the highly motivated Algerian, who was in a must-win situation, gradually outplayed the leader and reached a winning position: Shahenda Wafa – Lina Nassr After natural 67… Ke5 68. Kc6 Ke6 69. b6 Rc1+ 70. Kb7 Kd7 71. Ka7 Rb1 72. b7 Kc7 Lina would have won White’s pawn and the title. However, she hastily played 67… Rc1+?? but after 68. Kd6! Rd1+ 69.Kc4 Ke2 70.b4 Ke3 71. Kc6 Ke5 72. b5 Rc1+ 73. Kd6, etc. Shahenda Wafa (pictured below) reached a draw and clinched gold. Meanwhile, WFM Ednasia Junior of Angola scored a crucial victory over Peace Samson from Nigeria and caught up with Lina Nassr. The silver medal went to the Angolan thanks to a slightly better Buchholz, while the Algerian had to settle for bronze. Final standings: 1 WGM Shahenda Wafa EGY 2006 5 2 WFM Ednasia Junior ANG 1911 4½ 3 WIM Lina Nassr ALG 1933 4½ 4 WFM Sasha Mongeli KEN 1806 4 5 Nadezhda Marochkina SEN 1985 4 6 Peninah Nakabo UGA 1768 3½ 7 Peace Samson NGR 1935 3½ 8 Linda Dalitso Shaba ZIM 1783 3½ 9 WCM Marie Yavo Tchetche CIV 1663 3 10 Aina Mahasambatra Tsinjoviniavo MAD 1558 3 Complete final standings Official website: accra2023.fide.com/ Official sponsor: Riyadh Season Riyadh Season is an official partner of FIDE at the 13th African Games in Accra. Riyadh Season is one of the world’s largest annual winter entertainment festivals located in Saudi Arabia, it welcomes millions of visitors every year who get to experience a variety of exciting surprises, events, and music concerts. Additionally, it hosts international activities and events that draw in world-renowned stars in sports such as boxing, tennis, and football. The festivities capture the essence of Saudi heritage and hospitality and it showcases its present-day vibranism. For more information about Riyadh season, visit: riyadhseason.com