2017 African Chess Club Championship
The 2017 African Chess Club Championship came to an end today at the Mondial Hall, Giza, Egypt with Al Hawar Chess Club winning the event. Eastern Company (A) and Eastern Company (B) took second and third place respectively.
Equity Bank Chess Club and KCB Chess Club ended up in 5th and 6th place respectively in their maiden appearance at a continental event.
The event which commenced on 23rd July attracted a total of 9 teams from Kenya, Libya and Egypt.
Equity Bank Chess Club defeated KCB Chess Club 3.5 – 0.5 in their direct encounter.
The big news was Jackson Kamau’s (1899) fine win over IM Wageih Kareim of Egypt who is rated 2391. I have included the beautiful game below where Jackson misses a mate on move 35. He plays Ne7 instead of Rc1 mate, but he remained remarkably calm to still win the game. A fine performance indeed!
IM Kareim Wageih v Jackson Kamau
Making Kenya proud – Jackson Kamau of KCB Bank in action. Photo credit Njagi Kabugu.
Medals
Kenyan teams did not go home empty handed but collected 3 medals on the individual boards.
Silver on Board 4 Jackson Kamau (KCB).
Bronze on Board 1 IM Arthur Ssegwanyi (Equity Bank).
Bronze on Board 2 IM Elijah Emojong (Equity Bank).
This strong event had 3 Grandmasters and 12 International Masters plus a number of other titled players. Top players included GM Amin Bassem 2672, GM Adly Ahmed 2620 and GM Hesham Abdelrahman 2385 all of Egypt.
Eastern Company SAE sponsored the event.
