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Gong Thon Gong shines in SSD Olympiad Qualifiers

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Gong Thon Gong shines in SSD Olympiad Qualifiers

Photo from the 2nd phase of the South Sudan Olympiad Qualifiers.
Photo from the 2nd phase of the South Sudan Olympiad Qualifiers.

Gong Thon Gong has won the second stage of the South Sudan Olympiad Qualifiers event with 7.5 points out of 9 rounds. His only loss was in round 8 to Joseph Riak Deng, while in round 9 in drew against Aluong Chol Akoy.

The second stage of the Olympiad Qualifier ran from 20th to 26th April 2022 and saw ten wildcards join the top forty players from the first stage.

Peter Majur Manyang v Gong Thon Gong

Spectators keenly watching the some of the games.
Spectators keenly watching the some of the games.
Gong Thon Gong v Agook Madol Agook

James Panchol – Kenyan based player

Kenyan based James Panchol was also one of the hopefuls trying to get into the final stage of this shark-infested event where an unrated player can easily down a +2200 player! James Panchol’s last round game was against Rehan Deng Cypriano, one of South Sudan’s top players with two Olympiad appearances.

A victory for either player would give them a slot in the final phase. Rehan Deng Cypriano was able to extra the win and grab a place in the final stage. An extract of the game is shown below.

James Panchol v Rehan Deng Cypriano

James Panchol (left) playing Rehan Deng Cyrpriano in the last and final 9th round game.
James Panchol (left) playing Rehan Deng Cyrpriano in the last and final 9th round game.
James Panchol v Michael Ajak Gai

James Panchol (left) in looking sharp and relaxed at the same time.
James Panchol (left) in looking sharp and relaxed at the same time.
Gong Thon Gong (left) poses with his trophy for winning the 1st phase of the Olympiad Qualifiers.
Gong Thon Gong (left) poses with his trophy for winning the 1st phase of the Olympiad Qualifiers.

The first stage ran from 9th to 16th April 2022, with just over 120 participants. Gong Thon Gong was dominant in the first phase with 9 points out of 9 rounds!

The third phase will commence on the 10th and will run until 18th May 2022, with the top twelve players taking part.

Qualification process

The qualification process for the South Sudanese team is a fair system as it gives many unrated players a chance to grab a slot in the squad. However, it takes a toll on the final team as it would mean that they would have played 29 rounds within five weeks!

Players pose for a group photo at the end of the 2nd phase of the South Sudan Olympiad Qualifiers.
Players pose for a group photo at the end of the 2nd phase of the South Sudan Olympiad Qualifiers.
The top 12 players who will compete in the 3rd and final phase of the Olympiad selection.
The top 12 players who will compete in the 3rd and final phase of the Olympiad selection.

Another interesting observation is that three players who made it into the final phase do not have a FIDE rating.   

Unsung heroes

The arbitration team had arbiters from South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

Chief Arbiter FA Kimera Innocent, and Deputy Chief ArbiterFA Emmanuel Gabriel Gele Mattia (SSD) and FA Maher Musa(SUD).
From left Chief Arbiter FA Innocent Kimera (UGA), Deputy Chief Arbiter FA Emmanuel Gabriel Gele Mattia (SSD) and FA Maher Musa(SUD).

All photo credit and pgns – FA Innocet Kimera

Links

Report on Phase One of the 2022 South Sudan Olympiad Qualifiers.

PGNs from phase two of the South Sudan Olympiad Qualifiers.

South Sudan Olympiad Qualifiers Phase One on chess-results.com.

PGNs from the 2022 South Sudan Olympiad Qualifiers Phase One.

Manyok Chaderek is the 2021 South Sudan Chess Champion.

Michael Khor is the 2018 South Sudan Chess Champion.

 

 

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