A recap of the 2016 African Youth Chess Championship
This report on the 2016 African Youth Chess Championship is a bit late but then it is important for us to record the achievements of Kenyan chess over the years. Each event takes us a step further along our route.
The 2016 African Youth Chess Championship took place between 22nd to 28th August 2016 at the Boardwalk Casino and Hotel, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
A total of 275 players from 14 federations took part in this highly prestigious event.
The annual African Youth Chess Championship has over the years proved very popular with Kenyan players and this year was no exception. A delegation of about 50 players, parents and coaches were planning to attend the event.
The planning for this event proceeded very well with the qualifiers and the one week residential training at Alliance Girls for the kids. All chess supporters were looking forward to a decent result and perhaps another bronze medal or even a silver medal this time.
Funding issues
Two days before the team was due to leave, the bombshell was delivered – “The Ministry would not fund the team”! This was devastating news for the kids, parents and coaches who were looking forward to this event.
In the end a much smaller team departed for the event.
Things did not improve when the team reached South Africa with reports of favouritism on the payment of the mandatory administration fees. In the end, we did not win any medals but two players put up a fine performance by winning two special prizes!
Special prizes for Kenyan stars
Sathya Iyer won a trophy for causing the biggest upset in round three – Open U18 category. Dev Shah also won a trophy for causing the biggest upset in round six in the Open U14 category. We bring you Dev Shah’s fine win in the event which gave him the prize.
FM Jaque Malan v Dev Shah
Links
2021 African Youth Chess Championship to be held in Accra, Ghana.
2019 African Youth Chess Championship.
2018 African Youth Chess Championship.
Kisumu all set for 2018 African Youth Chess Championship.
Update on the 2015 African Youth Chess Championship.
Kenya bags two bronze medals at the 2015 African Youth Chess Championship.
2015 African Youth Chess Championship.
