GM Ahmed Adly has won the Open Section at the maiden edition of the Africa Online Individual Chess Championship 2021. With this win, he stands to walk away with the $3,000 first-place prize. In the ladies section, WGM Amina Mezioud stole the show and claimed the crown of African Chess Queen for 2021.
The event was held on the Tornelo platform in five categories (9-round Swiss tournaments) with the prize money distributed as follows:
Main Open | Women | Seniors | U20 Open | U20 Girls | |
1st Prize | USD $3000 | USD $2000 | USD $1000 | USD $400 | USD $300 |
2nd Prize | $2000 | $1000 | $750 | $300 | $200 |
3rd Prize | $1500 | $750 | $500 | $200 | $100 |
4th Prize | $750 | $500 | |||
5th Prize | $500 | $250 |
Open
Very little was separating the players in the Open section, where all games were tightly contested affairs. It was GM Ahmed Adly (Egypt), who snatched the gold in the end. His countryman and Africa’s number 1 Amin Bassem had to settle for the silver, just half a point behind. GM Bilel Bellahcene of Algeria notched the third-place position on tiebreak (tied for third with IM Fy Rakotomaharo and CM Donaldo Paiva) to take bronze.
GM Ahmed Adly playing from home
Final standings:
Women
WGM Amina Mezioud of Algeria (pictured below), won gold at the Women’s section. She scored two important victories in Rounds 8 and 9 to finish strong, surpassing Sabrina Latreche, who took the silver, just half a point behind Amina. Khadidja Latreche had secured her top 3 finish but lost her last game to Linda Dalitso Shaba of Zimbabwe.
Photo: David Llada
Final standings:
Seniors
As many predicted, 7-time South African champion, FM Charles De Villiers (RSA) clinched gold in the ‘madalas’ section of players over 50 with an unbeaten 8.5/9 score. Zoheir Slami (Morocco) and CM John Mukabi (Kenya) settled for second and third spots respectively.
Charles De Villiers (right) podium finish in 2018 Photo: Cross Road Chess Club Facebook page
Final standings:
U20 Open
FM Lamine Brahami of Algeria (pictured below) won the U20 Open gold with a beautiful win in the 8th round, and a draw with Banele Mhango in the last round. He ended the tournament joint first on 7.5/9 points, along with FM Domingoes Junior of Angola, however, having the better Bucholz points. Taking bronze on joint third place with Banele Mhango (both on 7 points), is Mauritania’s Mohamed Abderrahim Taleb Mohamed, also with the better Bucholz points.
Photo: Adnane Nesla
Final standings:
U20 Girls
WIM Lina Nassir of Algeria (pictured below) came out on top in the U20 Girls section scoring 8 points. She secured the title by defeating Egypt’s Yara Allam in Round 8 and drawing her last round game against Natalie Katlo Banda of Botswana on move 31. WFM Besa Masaiti, also of Botswana, “went home” with silver, finishing a point behind the leader. The untitled Davida Strong from South Africa finished in third place and took the bronze with 6.5/9 points.
Photo: www.express-dz.com
Final standings:
