Egypt underlined their dominance on the continental youth chess scene after emerging as overall winners of the 17th Africa Youth Chess Championship held in Entebbe, Uganda. The Egyptian youngsters finished with an impressive haul of 11 medals: six gold, four silver, and one bronze.
One of the biggest stories of the championship came in the Under-8 Open section, where 39th seed Sameir Mahmoud of Egypt defied all odds to clinch gold in sensational fashion, proving that rankings matter little once the clocks start ticking. Kenya’s Kirega Rayvon and Kariuki Matthias completed the podium with silver and bronze, respectively.
The host nation, Uganda had reason to celebrate in the Under-8 Girls category after 30th seed Jacinta Mbabazi delivered a memorable performance to secure one of the country’s three gold medals. Mbabazi finished tied on 8/9 points with Kenya’s Jasmine Aaliyah before edging her out on tiebreaks, while South Africa’s Khethelo Mlaba claimed bronze – the country only medal at the championship.
Top seed Tawfeik Said of Egypt justified her billing in the Under-10 Girls section after producing a dominant display to win gold with 8/9 points. Uganda continued their strong showing by securing both silver and bronze medals in the category. In the Under-10 Open, Egypt’s Ezaat Ahmed captured gold with 8.5 points as Kenya once again settled for silver and bronze.
Kenya’s WCM Winnie Kaburo won the gold medal in the Under-12 Girls after finishing with an outstanding 8/9 points. Egypt’s Mohamed Ahmed claimed silver while Madagascar’s Nivo Tsinjovintavo made history for her nation by securing bronze.
Uganda’s Ronald Wabwire thrilled the home crowd after scoring 8/9 points to clinch gold in the Under-12 Open section. The Kenyan pair Nathaniel Manyeki and Faraja Muli completed the podium with silver and bronze respectively.
Madagascar’s Aina Tsinjovintavo caused one of the tournament’s biggest sensations after winning the Under-14 Girls title with eight points ahead of experienced campaigners Mohamed Ahmed Zaka and Juliet Asaba.
In the Under-14 Open category, Egypt’s Mustafa Ahmed and Angola’s Nsimba Wela both finished tied on eight points, but superior tiebreaks handed Mustafa the gold medal. Zambia’s Twalumba Sianyinda completed the podium with bronze.
Kenya’s WCM Elizabeth Cassidy Maina continued her remarkable rise after adding the Under-16 Girls crown to the Under-14 title she won in Zimbabwe last year. Meanwhile, sixth-seeded Alvin Muhirwa gave Uganda another reason to celebrate after emerging as champion in the Under-16 Open section with 7.5 points.
Egypt’s Zaki Mohamed maintained her fine form to secure gold in the Under-18 Girls section ahead of former champion Omprakash Sana, while Kenya’s Bella Nashipae claimed bronze.
The North Africans capped off a memorable championship by dominating the Under-18 Open section, where Ahmed Kandil and Eyad Elhusseiny secured gold and silver, respectively, with Kennedy Shane taking bronze.
Medal standings
This year’s edition of the prestigious continental youth championship attracted more than 900 players from across Africa, with Kenya fielding the largest delegation at the tournament.
Text and photos: African Chess Confederation