2024 African Individuals Chess - GM Bassem & WIM February win

2024 African Individuals Chess – GM Bassem & WIM February win

The 2024 African Individuals Chess Championships have ended with GM Bassem Amin (Egypt) and WIM Jesse Nikki February (South Africa) winning their respective sections.

GM Bassem Amin clinched the title with an impressive 8.5/9 and conceded only a draw against the popular IM Mwali Chitumbo of Zambia in round five. GM Bassem Amin’s victory at the event was a significant milestone in African chess. His 7th African Individual Championship title earned him USD 5,000 as prize money and confirmed his status as the ‘Pharaoh of African Chess‘.

Proud Winners of the 2024 African Individuals Chess Championship.

GM Bilel Bellahcene, the second seed, finished second with an impressive score of 7/9 after defeating IM Mariano Ortega Amarelle of Cape Verde in the final round.

IM Chitumbo Mwali, ranked 6th at the start, grabbed a well-deserved bronze medal for Zambia. He drew his fifth-round game against eventual tournament winner GM Bassem Amin. In the final round, he secured a crucial victory over IM Fy Antenaina Rakotomaharo of Madagascar, ending with a score of 6.5/9.

IM Chitumbo Mwali, also affectionately called 'Copper Eagle' in action. — IM Chitumbo Mwali, also affectionately called ‘Copper Eagle’ in action.

A tribute to the Pharaoh of African Chess GM Bassem Amin.

Ladies Section

WIM Jesse Nikki February from South Africa showed great skill in winning her second continental title despite a stunning loss to talented youngster Deborah Quickpen of Nigeria in the 7th round.

WIM Nassr Lina of Algeria who scored a crucial victory over Peninah Nakabo of Uganda in Round 8 secured the second position and a silver medal with 6.5 points.

WGM Wafa Shahenda of Egypt secured third place in the Women’s Category with 6.5 points.

The young talent from Nigeria Deborah Quickpen.

Team Kenya

Robert Mcligeyo of Kenya scored an impressive 5.5 points and placed 13th in the ranking in this prestigious continental event. Kenya’s representative in the Ladies Section, WCM Sasha Mongeli, scored 4.5 points and placed 16th in the ranking.

Other details

The 18th edition of the African Individual Chess Championship saw 42 players in the Open Section from 24 African federations, while the Ladies Section had 29 participants from 22 federations.