Kenny Solomon wins Africa Zone 4.3 Championship
You will recall that GM Kenny Solomon was in Nairobi recently during the Chess Masters for Africa Tour and this story can be found on GM Kenny Solomon in Kenya.
GM Kenny Solomon was in the news again during the recently concluded Africa Zone 4.3 which took place in Lusaka, Zambia in June 2017.
Enjoy a bumper report by an old friend Dr Lyndon Bouah of South Africa.
GM Kenny Solomon dedicates Zonal win to Eldo Smart
South African GM Kenny Solomon in an emotionally charged day for all the South African participants won the Zone 4.3 individual Championship today, 17 June 2017, in Livingstone, Zambia.
In his winning speech he dedicated his win to the late ChESSA President, Mr Eldo Smart. GM Kenny told me that this morning he had thought about Mr Smart because he knew Eldo since he started playing in 1993 and knew that the funeral was on whilst we were playing.
Women’s Section
In the Women’s Section tenth seeded Aleida De Bruyn from the High School Helpmekaar in Johannesburg, sensationally won the Women’s section of the Zonal championship. She impressed all with her calm demeanour. Aleida in the first round lost to favourite WIM Anzel Laubscher and then she proceeded to score a magnificent 6.5 from the next 8 rounds to secure her first place and also her Women’s IM title. Congratulations Aleida.
South Africa
The tournament was a huge success for the South African contingent. In the women’s section Aleida led with her gold medal followed by Michelle Fisher with Silver on 6 who now becomes a Women FIDE Master. Congratulations Michelle. Anzel Laubscher on tie break takes the bronze medal. Aleida De Bruyn wins USD 1,000 and Michelle Fisher USD 750.
Open Section
Tension was high in the Open section at the start of the event. Various social media posts indicated that the ‘Copper Eagle’ also known as IM Mwali was going to take it as he was level pegging with GM Solomon going into the last round.
In the last round IM Mwali had to play IM Daniel Cawdery. IM Cawdery soon had IM Mwali against the ropes early on and should have won to secure possible second spot but instead could not find the win and had to settle for a draw. I am sure Daniel is kicking himself as I am sure there was a win in the opening or early middle game. IM Mwali ended second with IM Raymond Phiri in third spot on tiebreak from IM Daniel Cawdery.
IM Daniel Jere v GM Kenny Solomon
On board one the game started off slowly and developed from a Cambridge Springs Defence. IM Daniel Jere was defending with the Black pieces and looked like he did enough for the draw as he had GM Kenny Solomon under time pressure. This however was not enough because GM Kenny Solomon continued to play for the win knowing that a clear win would secure a first place finish and the much coveted ticket to the FIDE World Cup which will take place in Batumi, Georgia from 2nd to 25th September 2017. GM Solomon will now represent the African Zone 4.3 at the event in Georgia.
IM Jere then decided to sacrifice a pawn instead of defending passively and this was the mistake. Kenny took the pawn and thereafter slowly converted the win in true grand masterly style.
Technique was required and GM Kenny Solomon who earlier this year won a tournament in Italy now continued his good form to win this event.
By winning this event GM Kenny Solomon has won USD 1,500 and also secured a first round participation fee of USD 6,000 that will emanate from his participation in Batumi, Georgia.
Other star players
The event has shown that there are many capable players able to show their stuff. IM Aderito Pedro from Angola surprised all when he downed IM Andrew Kayonde in the final round to secure six points. Roland Bezuidenhout played fantastic chess and beat Musa Simutowe with a queen sacrifice in the last round. He ended with a fantastic 5.5 / 9.
Matt Pon and Lyndon Bouah both ended with a respectable 4.5 / 9. They did not have the greatest of events but I think that the top players came through.
In the women’s section the seasoned players like WIM Lopang and IM Mudongo showed that they had fire in them and played strongly. WIM Anzel Laubscher probably had just too many draws. WFM Dantelle Joubert woke up late but started getting points at the end to finish well.
Dante Beukes
I was also very happy for Dante Beukes who scored a win in the final round after being on 0.5/8. Well done to the young man from Namibia who is the Namibian Champion at the age of 14.
Zambia as host nation
Zambia has done a good job in organising the Zone 4.3 championships. They provided opportunities for their Arbiters and International Organisers. The event ran smoothly from the onset and the players probably can only complain about the WiFi and that was something outside of the Zambian organisers’ control.
We are going to have a quiet evening tonight as we remember the late Eldo Smart to whom this win is dedicated.
I shall complete a concluding report when I get back to South Africa with photos.
Dr Lyndon Bouah
Dr Lyndon Bouah played in the 1993 Africa Junior Chess Championship held in Nairobi. He finished in joint 2nd place with David Levy of South Africa with 10.5 points out of 14 rounds.
Here is a historic photo from that event!
Links
Standings & Results of the 2017 Zone 4.3 Chess Championship.
