The 16th African Youth Chess Championship (AYCC) 2025, organised by the Zimbabwe Chess Federation under the patronage of the African Chess Confederation (ACC), concluded on Saturday, 13 December 2025, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Contested over nine rounds in the Swiss system, the championship attracted over 500 budding chess talents from 18 African countries, making it one of the largest editions in the history of the event. The championship showcased Africa’s rising chess stars across multiple age categories, delivering high-quality competition marked by fighting spirit, discipline, and exemplary sportsmanship.
After intense and closely contested nine rounds played in a spirit of fair play, the champions emerged in all categories as follows:
Under 8 Girls
Under 8 Girls
🥇 Gold: Saishanvi Nalamalpu (Botswana) – 9
🥈 Silver: Tariro Nota (Zimbabwe) – 7
🥉 Bronze: Awuor Jayne (Kenya) – 6
Under 8 Open
🥇 Gold: Adam Djerroud (Algeria) – 8
🥈 Silver: Nathan Rehse (South Africa) – 7
🥉 Bronze: Gene Mukhwana (Kenya) – 7
Under 10 Girls
🥇 Gold: Amanda Breetalizah (Kenya) – 8
🥈 Silver: Nikhil Vankhedekar (Zambia) – 7½
🥉 Bronze: Adaeze Agusionu (Nigeria) – 7½
Under 10 Open
🥇 Gold: Nathaniel Manyeki (Kenya) – 8½
🥈 Silver: Ngwao Keoletile (Botswana) – 7
🥉 Bronze: Elvis Tumusiime (Uganda) – 7
Under 12 Girls
🥇 Gold: Michelle Nwankwo (Nigeria) – 8½
🥈 Silver: Winnie Kaburo (Kenya) – 8
🥉 Bronze: Anil Suhana (Uganda) – 7½
Under 12 Open
🥇 Gold: Rannveer Tak (South Africa) – 7½
🥈 Silver: Apollo Ahumuza (Uganda) – 7
🥉 Bronze: Ryan Danson (Kenya) – 7
Under 14 Girls
🥇 Gold: Cassidy Elizabeth (Kenya) – 8
🥈 Silver: Juliet Asaba (Uganda) – 7
🥉 Bronze: Lucy Fantalis (Kenya) – 6½
Under 14 Open
🥇 Gold: Abdelmalek Bensidi (Algeria) – 7½
🥈 Silver: Davidson Waweru (Kenya) – 7
🥉 Bronze: Michael Schwartz (South Africa) – 7
Under 16 Girls
🥇 Gold: Zaki Mohamed (Egypt) – 8
🥈 Silver: Oudhia Ait (Algeria) – 7
🥉 Bronze: Correia Monteiro (South Africa) – 6½
Under 16 Open
🥇 Gold: Cyprian Mbaabu (Kenya) – 7½
🥈 Silver: Zhengfei Li (South Africa) – 7
🥉 Bronze: Omprakash Shoubhith (Uganda) – 6½
Under 18 Girls
🥇 Gold: Sana Omprakash (Uganda) – 8
🥈 Silver: Deborah Quickpen (Nigeria) – 7
🥉 Bronze: Natalie Banda (Botswana) – 7
Under 18 Open
🥇 Gold: Rafael Sharon (Zambia) – 8
🥈 Silver: Ahmed Kandil (Egypt) – 8
🥉 Bronze: Raphael Felix (South Africa) – 7
Complete final standings (all categories)
In addition to the competitive awards, twenty-five players were honoured with Fair Play Medals, sponsored by Amor Sport Consultancy. These medals were awarded to players who consistently demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship, respect for opponents and arbiters, adherence to the Laws of Chess, and positive conduct both on and off the board throughout the championship.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, ACC President Tshepiso Lopang expressed her sincere gratitude to the players for their outstanding performances and commitment to fair play, to parents and coaches for their cooperation and support, to the arbiters for ensuring the smooth and professional running of the tournament, and to all partners and sponsors whose contributions made the championship a resounding success.
The 16th African Youth Chess Championship once again reaffirmed Africa’s growing strength in youth chess and the continent’s bright future on the global chess stage.
Written by African Chess Confederation
Photo Credit: Ally Chess Academy