13th African Games, Republic of Ghana 8th – 23rd March 2024

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

3

IM

Adlane Arab

ALG

2415

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

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

3

WIM

Lina Nassr

ALG

1933

4

WFM

Sasha Mongeli

KEN

1806

4

5

 

Nadezhda Marochkina

SEN

1985

4

6

 

Peninah Nakabo

UGA

1768

7

 

Peace Samson

NGR

1935

8

 

Linda Dalitso Shaba

ZIM

1783

9

WCM

Marie Yavo Tchetche

CIV

1663

3

10

 

Aina Mahasambatra Tsinjoviniavo

MAD

1558

3


Complete final standings

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