WIM Jesse February is crowned 2021 African Individual Chess Champion
WIM Jesse February of South Africa was the proud winner of the 2021 African Individual Chess Championship. She ended the event with 7 points out of 9 rounds to give her country a well deserved gold medal.
Her victory came after she managed to hold WIM Ayah Moaatz of Egypt to a draw in a tense encounter that was the decider of the continental title.
WIM Jesse February became the second South African to win this prestigious continental title after Melissa Greef won it in 2009. The victory earns WIM Jesse February a WGM title that is validated once she crosses the 2100 Elo mark.
WIM Lina Nassr of Algeria won the silver medal, and WIM Ayah Moaatz of Egypt won the bronze. Both players had 6.5 points, but WIM Lina Nassr had a better tie break.
WIM Jesse February the winner of the 2021 African Individual Chess Championship. On her left is Runner’s Up WIM Lina Nassr of Algeria and on her right is third placed WIM Ayah Moaatz of Egypt.
WIM Ayah Moaatz v WIM Jesse February
WIM Jesse February had a painful loss in round four when she faced Perpetual Eloho Ogbiyoyo of Nigeria.
WIM Jesse February v Perpetual Eloho Ogbiyoyo
Kenyan Ladies
The Kenyan ladies did not disappoint either with their performance in Africa’s most prestigious event. WFM Sasha Mongeliwas 9th in the ranking with an impressive 5.5 points.
WFM Sasha Mongeli of Kenya who put up a fine performance in her maiden African continental event with 5.5 points out of 9 rounds.
Kenya National Champion WCM Lucy Wanjiruwas 11th with 5.5 points.
WCM Lucy Wanjiru the current Kenya National Champion.[/caption]WCM Joyce Nyaruai was 15th in the ranking with 5 points.
It is interesting to note that this is the first time for Kenyan ladies to participate in this continental event.
WFM Sasha Mongeli v Perpetual Eloho Ogbiyoyo
WCM Lucy Wanjiru v Manel Nassr
African Junior Stars
Two of Africa’s junior stars posted an impressive performance in this event as well.
Fifteen-year-old Shriyan Santosh Priyasha, and the current Malawi National Champion, was ranked in 7th place with 5.5. points.
15 year old Shriyan Santosh Priyasha, and the current Malawi National Champion.
WFM Naleidi Marape of Botswana, who is also fifteen years old, ended up in 8th ranking with 5.5 points.
15 year old star Naledi Marape of Botswana who ended up with an impressive 5.5 points out of 9 rounds.
Photo credits – Makhosi Nyirenda of Malawi Chess Federation.
Interesting facts about WIM Jesse February
She was born in 1997 and is the winner of the 2017 and 2019 Ladies section of the South African Chess Championship.
WIM Jesse February has represented South Africa in the 2016 and 2018 Chess Olympiads.
She is the winner of the 2016 Africa Zone 4.3 Chess Championship held in Mauritius.
Her most prominent world stage appearance was in the 2018 World Ladies World Chess Championship held in the icy town of Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. WGM Kateryna Lagno of Russia, the three-times World Blitz Champion, knocked her out in round one.
WIM Jesse February (1922) of South Africa taking on WGM Kateryna Lagno. Photo credit https://ugra2018.fide.com.
WCM Lucy Wanjiru the current Kenya National Champion.[/caption]WCM Joyce Nyaruai was 15th in the ranking with 5 points.
