III Cape Verdean Women's Championship took place from May 2-5 at the Grémio Desportivo Amarante hall in S. Vicente.
The round robin, with classical time control, stretched over four days and brought together eight players from five islands (Sal, Santiago Sul, Santo Antão, S. Nicolau and S. Vicente).
It was a highly competitive tournament with the fate of the championship decided in the very end.
As the final round approached, the defending champion and rating favorite Célia Rodriguez (pictured below) was only a half-point ahead of Deise Pereira. Deise, showing her mettle, won her game and put additional pressure on the tournament leader. However, Célia rose to the challenge, defeating Erika Perez with the black pieces and securing her third national title.
Deise Pereira, who debuted in an official chess competition, took silver (6/7) and earned the Women's National Master's norm. Jacira Almeida netted 4/7, winning bronze.
Notably, as many as four participants didn't have a FIDE rating, with three scoring against players with an international rating. With more games against rated players in the future, they will get a FIDE rating. This is great news, given that the Cape Verdean Federation has only nine female players with FIDE Elo.
Final standings:
|
1 |
WCM |
Rodriguez, Celia |
1869 |
6½ |
|
2 |
Pereira, Deise |
6 |
||
|
3 |
Almeida, Jacira Laura |
1606 |
4 |
|
|
4 |
Spinola, Divania |
1575 |
3½ |
|
|
5 |
Moreno, Akiane |
1594 |
3 |
|
|
6 |
Oliveira, Mirian Nataly |
2 |
||
|
7 |
Gomes, Samara |
2 |
||
|
8 |
Pérez, Erika |
1 |
Text and photos: Cape Verdean Chess Federation
