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 |
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 |
Official website: accra2023.fide.com/
Official sponsor:
Riyadh Season
Riyadh Season is an official partner of FIDE at the 13th African Games in Accra.
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