2019 African Youth Chess Championships (AYCC)
The 2019 African Youth Chess Championships (AYCC) has started in Windhoek, Namibia. The event which runs from 16th – 22nd December 2019 has about 250 players from 16 African federations.
The Windhoek Country Club Hotel & Casino is the selected venue for the event.
FM Dante Beukes of Namibia is the highest-ranked player amongst the boys. He is rated 2212 and is playing in the U18 Open section.
IM Adham Kandil of Egypt who is the defending champion in the U18 Boys, is also taking part. He is rated 1901 and seeded 6th in ranking.
It appears that the battle for gold in the U18 Boys will most probably be between FM Dante Beukes and IM Adham Kandil.
WFM Rania Nassr of Algeria who is the defending champion, is the highest-ranked player amongst the girls. She is rated 1833 and is playing in the U18 Girls section.
Kenya was the host of the last edition of this event which ran from 12th to 18th August 2018.
Team Kenya
Team Kenya has 28 players taking part in the event. Timothy Mwabu who is playing in the U16 Open section is the highest rated player from Kenya. He has a FIDE rating of 1645.
Andrew Owili, who is the Vice-President of Chess Kenya, is the HoD. Ms Mercy Olagi (Friends School Kaimosi Girls), Harrison Agosa (St. Joseph Boys) and Samuel Mwimenyi (Mosa School, Kitui) will assist with the team management.
Team Kenya has the following players taking part;
U8 Open
Curtis Reuben Thuo
Kalya Mbevi Kimeu
U8 Girls
Fantalis Lucy Nduta
Hope Amana Kairo
U10 Open
Cyprian Mbaabu
Rishit Ravat
U10 Girls
Neondo Sarah Naomi
U12 Open
Samuel Wanjala
Sanjay Ramesh
Ivan Wata Vidija
Mohin Minesh Patel
U12 Girls
Atiagaga Laurecia Minage
U14 Open
CM Lwanga Aguda
Viraj Bhaveshu Shah
Imani Amor Oriyo
Simon Njoroge
U14 Girls
Sarah Momanyi Mukeira
Christine Kemuma Tamaro
Rose Wakiuru
U16 Open
Timothy Mwabu
CM Jeff Gichuki
Joshua Mwenda
U16 Girls
Tracy Audrey Mboya
Brenda Cherotich
Amani Annety Keziah
U18 Open
Salim Naim Abdulhakim
Iam Mutuge
Samuel Munene Kinyua
Vincent Kiploech Korir
U18 Girls
Dorcus Wanjala
South Africa
It is interesting to note that South Africa has sent a strong team for this event. They have missed several critical continental tournaments due to disputes within the federation.
Links
2018 African Youth Chess Championship.
U10 Girls Standings & Results.
U12 Girls Standings & Results.
U14 Girls Standings & Results.
