Bassem Amin (Egypt) and Jesse Nikki February (South Africa) are the new African Chess Champions.
The top-seeded Egyptian GM, who clinched the title yesterday, continued his domination in the final round, defeating IM Andrew Kayonde (Zambia) with the black pieces. The champion scored an impressive 8.5/9, conceding his opponents just a half-point.
The second seed, GM Bilel Bellahcene (pictured below, left), beat IM Mariano Ortega Amarelle of Cape Verde and finished second with 7/9.
IM Chitumbo Mwali (Zambia; pictured above, right) pulled off a crucial victory over IM Fy Antenaina Rakotomaharo (Madagascar) and took bronze, netting 6.5/9. The sixth seed Zambian had a great tournament and picked up 39 rating points.
Final standings Open:
|
1 |
GM |
Bassem Amin |
EGY |
2670 |
8½ |
|
2 |
GM |
Bilel Bellahcene |
ALG |
2522 |
7 |
|
3 |
IM |
Chitumbo Mwali |
ZAM |
2340 |
6½ |
|
4 |
IM |
David Silva |
ANG |
2358 |
6 |
|
5 |
FM |
Banele Mhango |
RSA |
2193 |
6 |
|
6 |
Nicolas Cogan |
CIV |
2070 |
6 |
|
|
7 |
IM |
Andrew Kayonde |
ZAM |
2321 |
6 |
|
8 |
IM |
Odion Aikhoje |
NGR |
2215 |
6 |
|
9 |
IM |
Fy Antenaina Rakotomaharo |
MAD |
2454 |
5½ |
|
10 |
FM |
Abdulrahman Abdulraheem |
NGR |
2229 |
5½ |
In the women's section, WIM Jesse Nikki February (RSA) needed just a draw against Lidet Abate Haile of Ephiopia to win the title, but it was not an easy task. The South African had a lost position at some point but eventually escaped with a draw and took gold with an impressive score of 7.5/9.
The top and second seeds, WGM Shahenda Wafa (pictured above, left) of Egypt and WIM Lina Nassr from Algeria (both defeated by the champion with the black pieces), tied for second place on 6.5/9, with the latter winning silver thanks to a better opponents' average rating.
Final standings Women:
|
1 |
WIM |
Jesse Nikki February |
RSA |
1920 |
7½ |
|
2 |
WIM |
Lina Nassr |
ALG |
2080 |
6½ |
|
3 |
WGM |
Shahenda Wafa |
EGY |
2083 |
6½ |
|
4 |
Deborah Quickpen |
NGR |
1945 |
6 |
|
|
5 |
Peninah Nakabo |
UGA |
1836 |
5½ |
|
|
6 |
Jemima Paulo |
ANG |
1946 |
5½ |
|
|
7 |
WIM |
Vania Fausto Da T. Vilhete |
MOZ |
1829 |
5½ |
|
8 |
Lidet Abate Haile |
ETH |
1786 |
5½ |
|
|
9 |
WFM |
Constance Mbatha |
ZAM |
1799 |
5½ |
|
10 |
WFM |
Ednasia Junior |
ANG |
1915 |
5 |
Photos: Niki Riga and Ogunsiku Babatunde
UPDATE March 20, 2024
Bassem Amin emerged as the winner of the African Championship 2024, clinching the title in the open section with a round to spare. GM from Egypt beat IM David Silva of Angola in the penultimate round to score 7.5/8 and became out-of-reach for all his competitors.
GM Bilel Bellahcene (Algeria) and IM Andrew Kayonde (Zambia) are going into the final round, sharing second place on 6/8.
In the women’s section, the leader Jesse Nikki February (RSA) bounced back after yesterday’s loss, defeating Toritsemuwa Ofowino of Nigeria. IM from South Africa has an excellent chance for the African crown heading to the final round on 7/8, a full point ahead of Lina Nassr of Algeria (who scored a crucial victory over Peninah Nakabo of Uganda in Round 8). Deborah Ebimobo-Ere Quickpen (Nigeria) and Sharenda Wafa (Egypt) are tied for third place on 5.5/8.
UPDATE March 19, 2024
After seven rounds at the 2024 African Championship, Bassem Amin and Jesse Nikki February remained on top, with a one-point lead over their closest competitors.
In Round 7 Amin defeated Jemusse Zhemba of Zambia to consolidate his leading position in the standings with 6.5/7. Bilel Bellahcene (Algeria) and David Silva (Angola) are tied for second place, trailing the leader by a full point.
Jesse Nikki February suffered her first defeat in the competition at the hands of Deborah Ebimobo-Ere Quickpen of Nigeria. Still, she comfortably leads with 6/7, one point ahead of four players sharing second place.
UPDATE March 18, 2024
After six rounds of exciting battles at the African Individual Championships 2024, Bassem Amin (Egypt) and Jesse Nikki February (South Africa) have emerged as the sole leaders in the open and women's sections, respectively.
The top seed GM Bassem Amin scored a crucial victory over one of his main rivals, GM Bilel Bellahcene of Algeria in Round 6, and grabbed the lead with 5/6. IM Chitumbo Mwali from Zambia had a chance to catch up with the Egyptian, but after drawing his game with David Silva (Angola), he trails the leader by a half-point (4.5/6). A group of four players is a full point behind Amin.
Jesse Nikki February (pictured above) has dominated the women's section so far. The South African WIM notched up six straight wins, including victories over her main rivals, the top and second seeds WGM Shahenda Nafa (Egypt) and WIM Lina Nassr (Algeria), who are in second (5/6) and third (4/6) positions, respectively.
The African Individual Championships 2024 kicked off on March 13 in Accra, Ghana, the city that recently hosted the chess competition of the 13th African Games. Both open and women's championships, 9-round Swiss events with classical time control, will stretch from March 13-20, 2024.
Top African players, including Grandmasters Bassem Amin (EGY) and Bilel Bellahcene (ALG), International Masters Mariano Ortega Amarelle (CPV), Fy Antenaina Rakotomaharo (MAD), David Silva (ANG), Chitumbo Mwali (ZAM), Women's Grandmaster Shahenda Wafa (EGY), and Women's International Masters Lina Nassr (ALG) and Jesse Nikki February (RSA), have converged for this prestigious event.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich participated in the opening ceremony and made the first ceremonial move in the women's competition. In his short speech he thanked the organizers, greeted all the participants and touched on social aspect of chess competitions in Africa.
"I hope everyone will show their best in this event. I also wish luck to all of you… Chess in African Games was more than just a sports event. We connected local chess communities with national governments and commissions so they can help you in your countries."
FIDE President also announced that in just a few days, the Chess Torch lit in India would arrive in Accra and invited everyone to participate in the festivities. The Chess Torch Relay, a part of FIDE's centennial celebration, will pass through several continents to finish in Budapest, the host city of the 45th Chess Olympiad.
Photos: Ogunsiku Babatunde
