The African Continental Championship is going full steam ahead. And while the world is concentrated on large events like the FTX Crypto Chess Cup 2021, beautiful things are happening in Africa.
Fawole John Oyeyemi from BruvsChess Media is bringing daily reports on the event. Here are some key excerpts, make sure to visit BruvsChess Media for the full coverage.
More about the African Continental Chess 2021 / Live games
Round 1: Favorites top rankings at the 2021 Africa Individual Chess Championships
Round one of the most important chess tournament on the continent of Africa—2021 Africa Individual Chess Championship started at 17:00 hrs. The shift in time from the initial start time—15:00 allowed players who arrived Lilongwe before the start of round 1 to settle in and meet up with their games.
The 2021 Africa Individual Chess Championships are being played at Peacock Hotel, Lilongwe, Malawi, from May 17-28.
It was a smooth ride for all top rated players as Round one opened with no upsets in the Open section. All top rated players won their games.
In the Women section, all top rated players won their games except for board 12, where Malawi’s Shriyan Santosh Priyasha rated 1285 defeated Kenya’s WCM Ndirangu Joyce Nyaruai rated 1659. Also on board 15, Malawi’s Tadeyo Charity rated 1084 with the black pieces drew WCM Wanjiru Lucy—(1623).
Chess players, enthusiast and fans were waiting for live broadcast links for round one, but there were some technical issues that caused delay in transmission. Links were later provided by the organizers.
Round 2: Oragwu, Okeke Creates Upset at African Individual Chess Championships
Round Two (2) of the 2021 African Individual Chess Championships got underway yesterday, the 19th of May 2021. On board one, GM Baseem Amin took down Zambian’s FM Mulenga Prince Daniel in a game that lasted 31 moves. On board 2, GM Adly Ahmed outplayed FM Abdulrahman Abdulraheem Akintoye. IM Talbi Chafik lost to fellow country man GM Bellahcene Bilel.
The biggest upsets in the Open category were given by Nigeria’s FM Oragwu Chukwunonso—(2241), who got the better of Egyptian IM Wageih Kariem—(2425) in an interesting game and Nigeria’s Isaac Okeke—(2097), who dealt a mighty blow on Angolan’s IM David Silva—(2296).
In the Women category, Botswana’s WFM Marape Naledi—(1717) held Egyptian WGM Wafa Shahenda—(2145)to a draw. Also Botswana’s WCM Banda Natalie Katlo—(1560) with the white pieces held Mozambican’s WIM Vilhete Vania Fausto Da T—(1799) to a draw in an interesting encounter.
Round 3: Four Players share lead at the 2021 African Individual Chess Championships
On the third day of the 2021 African Individual Chess Championships in Lilongwe, Malawi, four players (Nigeria’s FM Oragwu Chukwunonso, Egyptian GM Adly Ahmed, Madagascar’s IM Rakotomaharo Fy Antenaina and Zambia’s IM Bwalya Gillian) share the lead with 3/3.
It was victory for top board players with the black pieces as GM Adly Ahmed—(2615) charmed FM Barrish Daniel—(2306) and drove home the full point, IM Rakotomaharo Fy Antenaina—(2429) displayed superiority over Zambian’s FIDE World Cup Qualifier—IM Mwali Chitumbo—(2285), IM Bwalya Gillian—(2425) outplayed Isaac Okeke in a game that seem equal and FM Oragwu Chukwunonso—(2241) was victorious in the brawl with IM Andrew Kayonde—(2399).
GM Bassem Amin‘s effort to secure a victory in the faceoff with Ugandan’s FM Kawuma Patrick—(2323) proved futile and the game ended in a draw.
Round 4: Adly, Rakotomaharo, Moaataz, Mwango, Leads 2021 African Individual Chess Championships Halfway
Sole leaders of both Open and Women’s sections of the 2021 African Individual Chess Championships have been determined after round 4, In the Open’s Section, GM Adly Ahmed and IM Rakotomaharo Fy Antenaina leads with 4/4. In the Women Section, WIM Moaataz Ayah and WFM Mwango Lorita leads with 3.5/4.
GM Adly Ahmed revealed his understanding of the Catalan Opening in a battle that lasted 48 moves before IM Bwalya Gillian resigned.
Also, IM Rakotomaharo Fy Antenaina engaged FM Orgawu Chukwunonso in a Classical King’s Indian with early deviation with 6.h3. Rakotomaharo played a novelty on move 12.Bg5 which led to a double Knight sacrifice on c5 and e5 respectively.
African Number one, GM Bassem Amin got back to winning ways as he crushed Namibia’s IM Beukes Dante in the Classical French variation. IM Kawuma Patrick continued his impressive run, held GM Bellahcene Bilel to a draw after 57 moves. FM Mhango Banele‘s performance is been nothing but decent and admirable. Banele outmaneuvered IM Barrish Daniel in a minor pieces versus two rooks endgame.
In the Women Section, WIM Moataz Ayah and WFM Mwango Lorita agreed to a draw after 82 moves. Also, WGM Wafa Shahenda and WIM Nassr Lina draw was confirmed after 31 moves. On board three (3) WFM Ogbiyoyo Perpetual Eloho overpowered WIM February Jesse Nikki after 38 moves.
All reports by Fawole John Oyeyemi
Fawole John Oyeyemi is a FIDE Master, FIDE Chess In Education Lecturer, FIDE Instructor, US National Master, 2003 Nigeria Junior Chess Champion and the 2013 Nigeria Chess Champion. He is the founder, BruvsChess Media and Sister Company, BruvsChess Educational Services. Fawole holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from University of Abuja.
