2016 African Individual Chess Championship
The 2016 African Individuals Chess Championship, the continents premier event, got underway in the bustling capital city of Kampala, Uganda. The event runs from 17th until 24th July 2016.
The site of this battleground is Tick Hotel, Kampala and has attracted a total of 3 GM’s and 8 IM’s in the Open Section and 1 WGM and 8 WIM’s in the Ladies Section.
In the Open Section, GM Ahmed Adly is the top seed at 2607, followed by GM Samy Shoker at 2489, both from Egypt. In the Ladies Section, WIM Shahenda Wafa at 2106 and WGM Shrook Wafa at 2096 are the top-ranked players, and both are also from Egypt.
The Ugandans have IM Arthur Ssegwanyi, FM Harold Wanyama, FM Patrick Kawuma, Simon Gonza, Fauza Farouk, and Rajab Kamoga in the Open Section. In the Ladies Section, the Ugandan players are WFM Goretti Angolikin, WFM Christine Namaganda, Joyce Kabengano, Gloria Nansubuga, Shakira Ampaire and Stella Babirye.
Kenya’s representatives include CM Ben Magana, James Panchol, upcoming star Martin Njoroge in the Open Section and WCM Joyce Nyaruai in the Ladies Section.
The Open Section has 31 players from 11 federations, while the Ladies Section has 23 players from 8 federations.
The 2016 African Individuals Chess Championship had an exciting start from round one when Ugandan FM Patrick Kawuma 2247 held top seed GM Ahmed Adly 2607 to a draw!
GM Adly Ahmed v FM Patrick Kawuma
Another shock result was when James Panchol 2037 of Kenya defeated one of Uganda’s best players FM Harold Wanyama 2269 of Uganda.
James Panchol v FM Harold Wanyama
The revelation of The 2016 African Individuals Chess Championship has been FM Andrew Kayonde of Zambia, who is rated 2404 and who was leading the event by half a point with two rounds still to go. The question everyone has on their mind is – Will this lad from Zambia stop the highly fancied Egyptians from winning this event? Only time will tell.
IM Arthur Ssegwanyi v FM Andrew Kayonde
Previous winners of this event have been GM Bassem Amin of Egypt who won it in 2013 and again in 2015 while IM Kenny Solomon of South Africa won it in 2014.
Lyndon Bouah v Mohamud Ali Hussein
WIM Wafa Shrook is expected to win The 2016 African Individuals Chess Championship which will confirm her standing as one of Africa’s best lady player. She was the Ladies winner of the 2013 and 2014 edition.
Links
The 2016 African Individuals Chess Championship on chess-results.