09:17, Tuesday, 19th September, 2017
GM Nigel Short has concluded his four country tour of Africa and has left Mozambique bound for Portugal and ultimately the Isle of Man.
During his two day visit to Maputo he recorded a perfect 31-0 in a large exhibition against some of the countries best juniors and female players. He also held productive meetings with the executive team of the Mozambique Chess Federation.
In addition, Nigel was able to meet with the Minister of Youth and Sport, Dr Alberto Nkutumula and the Minister of Education and Human Development, Mr John Kachamila. He also conducted a training session for some of the top players in the country.
We wish to thank GM Short for continuing to invest his valuable time and energy in the development of chess on the African continent and we wish him well at his next event in the Isle of Man where he will again be pitting his skills against many of the very best players in the world!
During his two day visit to Maputo he recorded a perfect 31-0 in a large exhibition against some of the countries best juniors and female players. He also held productive meetings with the executive team of the Mozambique Chess Federation.
In addition, Nigel was able to meet with the Minister of Youth and Sport, Dr Alberto Nkutumula and the Minister of Education and Human Development, Mr John Kachamila. He also conducted a training session for some of the top players in the country.
We wish to thank GM Short for continuing to invest his valuable time and energy in the development of chess on the African continent and we wish him well at his next event in the Isle of Man where he will again be pitting his skills against many of the very best players in the world!
16:14, Monday, 18th September, 2017
The dramatic final round of the 7th Presidents Cup saw decisive results recorded on the top 14 boards as players fought it out to the last breath to secure top honors.
In the end, it was the board 1 victory of Haji CHARLES of Liberia over FM Simplice DEGONDO of Cote d'Ivoire that decided the event in the favor of the Liberian and denied Simplice an outright victory.
CM Adeyinka ADESINA of Nigeria also won his final round game and joined Haji on a fine total of 6/7. He secured the silver medal on tie-break.
Abelas SOYOYE of Nigeria was the only other player to remain undefeated throughout the tournament and he finished with an excellent 5.5/7 to claim the bronze medal.
The top ladies prize was shared between WFM Angela AYIKU and the GCA Secretary General Christiana ASHLEY who both recorded a commendable 3/6.
The prizes were awarded by Mr Danny Mawuenyega, who is the General Secretary of China Ghana Business Development Promotion as well as the International Secretary of Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship International. He is also a chess enthusiast who will be supporting chess programs in Ghana in the future.
The final standings and cross-table for the event is now posted at http://www.chess-results.com/tnr301197.aspx?lan=1 while the available tournament games can be downloaded at http://www.chess-results.com/PartieSuche.aspx?lan=1&id=50023&tnr=301197&... by players who wish to access them.
We wish to congratulate the GCA on hosting an excellent tournament and we wish all the international travelers a safe journey as they return to their various homes across West Africa.
We also look forward to the next KCF Africa event in West Africa which will take place in Abidjan at the end of October!
In the end, it was the board 1 victory of Haji CHARLES of Liberia over FM Simplice DEGONDO of Cote d'Ivoire that decided the event in the favor of the Liberian and denied Simplice an outright victory.
CM Adeyinka ADESINA of Nigeria also won his final round game and joined Haji on a fine total of 6/7. He secured the silver medal on tie-break.
Abelas SOYOYE of Nigeria was the only other player to remain undefeated throughout the tournament and he finished with an excellent 5.5/7 to claim the bronze medal.
The top ladies prize was shared between WFM Angela AYIKU and the GCA Secretary General Christiana ASHLEY who both recorded a commendable 3/6.
The prizes were awarded by Mr Danny Mawuenyega, who is the General Secretary of China Ghana Business Development Promotion as well as the International Secretary of Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship International. He is also a chess enthusiast who will be supporting chess programs in Ghana in the future.
The final standings and cross-table for the event is now posted at http://www.chess-results.com/tnr301197.aspx?lan=1 while the available tournament games can be downloaded at http://www.chess-results.com/PartieSuche.aspx?lan=1&id=50023&tnr=301197&... by players who wish to access them.
We wish to congratulate the GCA on hosting an excellent tournament and we wish all the international travelers a safe journey as they return to their various homes across West Africa.
We also look forward to the next KCF Africa event in West Africa which will take place in Abidjan at the end of October!
10:18, Sunday, 17th September, 2017
It's a busy weekend for African chess as the 3rd Nigerian National Youth Games have also just concluded. The event took place from the 7th to 17th September at the University of Ilorin in Nigeria and saw 20 states participating in the male and female categories of the chess event.
The tournament is part of an U/17 youth competition and features a large number of sports in addition to chess.
The chess competition was played as a team event with teams consisting of 4 players each. There was also a blitz competition which was split into male and female categories.
The Open team event was won by Delta State with a total of 17.5 points ahead of Anambra State with 15 and FCT with 14.
The Female team event was won by Anambra with 19.5, ahead of Delta state with 17.5 and Kogi State with 12.
Overall Kaduna State earned the most medals however with a total of 3 gold and 2 bronze once the individual and board medals were also taken into account.
The Nigerian Chess Federation donated 10 KCF MiniChess boards and sets to each of the participating states at the conclusion of the tournament.
As always we are very pleased to see our equipment being put to good use and we wish to congratulate NCF President, Mr Lekan Adeyemi, as well as the team of local organizers for hosting a highly successful event.
The tournament is part of an U/17 youth competition and features a large number of sports in addition to chess.
The chess competition was played as a team event with teams consisting of 4 players each. There was also a blitz competition which was split into male and female categories.
The Open team event was won by Delta State with a total of 17.5 points ahead of Anambra State with 15 and FCT with 14.
The Female team event was won by Anambra with 19.5, ahead of Delta state with 17.5 and Kogi State with 12.
Overall Kaduna State earned the most medals however with a total of 3 gold and 2 bronze once the individual and board medals were also taken into account.
The Nigerian Chess Federation donated 10 KCF MiniChess boards and sets to each of the participating states at the conclusion of the tournament.
As always we are very pleased to see our equipment being put to good use and we wish to congratulate NCF President, Mr Lekan Adeyemi, as well as the team of local organizers for hosting a highly successful event.
06:04, Sunday, 17th September, 2017
The 2017 Presidents Cup is currently under way in Accra, Ghana and has reached the half way point. Now in its 7th year, the tournament is gaining in popularity and has attracted a strong field of 47 players representing Ghana, Togo, Liberia, Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire.
The top seed is CM Adeyinka ADESINA from Nigeria who comes into the tournament with a rating of 2198. There are 5 other players rated above 2000 including the national champions of both Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire.
The event has been hard fought to date and at the end of round 4 no player has a perfect score. The event is currently being led by CM Adeyinka ADESINA (NGR); FM Simplice DEGONDO (CIV), FM Eugene UNWANA (NGR) and FM John HASFORD (GHA) who all have 3.5/4.
The last 3 rounds will take place today and we wish all participants the best of luck as they fight for the title of champion.
KCF wishes to thank FA George Arko-Dadzie, President of the GCA as well as his team for their ongoing dedication to this important regional event. We also wish to thank Mr Kwadwo Bonsu who has being sharing his excellent pictures from the event on the Ghana Chess Facebook page.
All pairings and results from today's play can be followed at http://chess-results.com/tnr301197.aspx?lan=1&art=2&rd=5&wi=821
The top seed is CM Adeyinka ADESINA from Nigeria who comes into the tournament with a rating of 2198. There are 5 other players rated above 2000 including the national champions of both Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire.
The event has been hard fought to date and at the end of round 4 no player has a perfect score. The event is currently being led by CM Adeyinka ADESINA (NGR); FM Simplice DEGONDO (CIV), FM Eugene UNWANA (NGR) and FM John HASFORD (GHA) who all have 3.5/4.
The last 3 rounds will take place today and we wish all participants the best of luck as they fight for the title of champion.
KCF wishes to thank FA George Arko-Dadzie, President of the GCA as well as his team for their ongoing dedication to this important regional event. We also wish to thank Mr Kwadwo Bonsu who has being sharing his excellent pictures from the event on the Ghana Chess Facebook page.
All pairings and results from today's play can be followed at http://chess-results.com/tnr301197.aspx?lan=1&art=2&rd=5&wi=821
16:43, Saturday, 16th September, 2017
GM Nigel Short completed his brief two day visit of Swaziland this morning with a clock simultaneous against 13 of the countries top players. He proved too strong on this occasion and recorded a perfect 13-0 score at this event.
On arrival from Lesotho he had met with the membes of the Swaziland Chess Executive and also conducted a training session at the Khanyisile Primary School for some of the countries top players.
Nigel was driven to the Namaacha/Lomahasha Border post this afternoon in the company of Melo Mdluli (President of the Swaziland Chess Federation) and he was met on arrival by Milton Botoa (Vice President of the Mozambique Chess Federation).
He is now safely in Maputo where he will be conducting the last round of exhibitions and training sessions before he departs from Africa.
We wish to thank their Swaziland Chess Federation for hosting Nigel and we wish the Mozambique Federation for this final leg of his tour.
On arrival from Lesotho he had met with the membes of the Swaziland Chess Executive and also conducted a training session at the Khanyisile Primary School for some of the countries top players.
Nigel was driven to the Namaacha/Lomahasha Border post this afternoon in the company of Melo Mdluli (President of the Swaziland Chess Federation) and he was met on arrival by Milton Botoa (Vice President of the Mozambique Chess Federation).
He is now safely in Maputo where he will be conducting the last round of exhibitions and training sessions before he departs from Africa.
We wish to thank their Swaziland Chess Federation for hosting Nigel and we wish the Mozambique Federation for this final leg of his tour.
05:11, Thursday, 14th September, 2017
GM Nigel Short has concluded his two day visit to Lesotho with a 22 board simultaneous display against some of the countries top players.
His exhibition was the culmination of a visit which also saw him conduct two intensive training sessions for Lesotho's top trainers and players and meet with both the Minister of Education and the Deputy Prime Minister of the country, the Honourable Monyane Moleleki.
As usual, Nigel has been in fine spirits throughout the tour and has graciously been sharing from his extensive experience as one of the world's leading players.
Lesotho can be very proud of Teboho Makhele who was able to take the full point from the GM in the exhibition match which ended with a score of 21/22.
Nigel leaves Lesotho this morning and will visit both Swaziland and Mozambique before he flies to the Isle of Man to participate in the 2017 Isle of Man International Chess Festival.
We thank him for sharing his experiences in Lesotho and look forward to his visits to both Swaziland and Mozambique later this week. We would also like to thank the Blue Mountain Inn Hotel and Metropolitan Lesotho who both played important roles in facilitating the tour from a logistical perspective.
His exhibition was the culmination of a visit which also saw him conduct two intensive training sessions for Lesotho's top trainers and players and meet with both the Minister of Education and the Deputy Prime Minister of the country, the Honourable Monyane Moleleki.
As usual, Nigel has been in fine spirits throughout the tour and has graciously been sharing from his extensive experience as one of the world's leading players.
Lesotho can be very proud of Teboho Makhele who was able to take the full point from the GM in the exhibition match which ended with a score of 21/22.
Nigel leaves Lesotho this morning and will visit both Swaziland and Mozambique before he flies to the Isle of Man to participate in the 2017 Isle of Man International Chess Festival.
We thank him for sharing his experiences in Lesotho and look forward to his visits to both Swaziland and Mozambique later this week. We would also like to thank the Blue Mountain Inn Hotel and Metropolitan Lesotho who both played important roles in facilitating the tour from a logistical perspective.
13:05, Monday, 11th September, 2017
The 7th Presidents Cup starts in Ghana on Friday 15th September and there are just 4 days left for players who still wish to register.
There are already more than 30 players entered and the tournament has already attracted players from as far afield as Nigeria, Togo, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire and Uganda.
Players can register by contacting the tournament organizers directly or by completing the online entry form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScAwfER5YM0wpPGgT4Sk-PYcwdChD9w...
The full entry form is available for download from http://www.kcfafrica.com/sites/default/files/7th%20President%27s%20Cup%2... and the players list has now been published as well at http://www.chess-results.com/tnr301197.aspx?lan=1. This list will be updated daily as entries are received. All pairings and results will also be published via this link as the event unfolds over this weekend.
Any players that have registered but whose names are not reflecting on the players list, are asked to notify the organizers asap so that their entries can be confirmed. Players that wish to participate but that have not yet registered should note that entries will close on Thursday evening at 8pm.
We look forward to a good fight in what will be the first KCF sponsored tournament in West Africa in 2017.
There are already more than 30 players entered and the tournament has already attracted players from as far afield as Nigeria, Togo, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire and Uganda.
Players can register by contacting the tournament organizers directly or by completing the online entry form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScAwfER5YM0wpPGgT4Sk-PYcwdChD9w...
The full entry form is available for download from http://www.kcfafrica.com/sites/default/files/7th%20President%27s%20Cup%2... and the players list has now been published as well at http://www.chess-results.com/tnr301197.aspx?lan=1. This list will be updated daily as entries are received. All pairings and results will also be published via this link as the event unfolds over this weekend.
Any players that have registered but whose names are not reflecting on the players list, are asked to notify the organizers asap so that their entries can be confirmed. Players that wish to participate but that have not yet registered should note that entries will close on Thursday evening at 8pm.
We look forward to a good fight in what will be the first KCF sponsored tournament in West Africa in 2017.
16:11, Monday, 4th September, 2017
This event is a 10 teams invitational round robin with each team consisting of 4 open players and 1 female player. It will feature most of the top players from Southern Africa and offers a total prize pool of R50,000. IM Norms are possible and the average rating is expected to exceed 2200 across the open field.
The time control is 40 moves in 90 minutes + 15 minutes to complete the game with 30 seconds increment per move from move 1.
The time control is 40 moves in 90 minutes + 15 minutes to complete the game with 30 seconds increment per move from move 1.
12:44, Monday, 28th August, 2017
7 round swiss tournament to be played at a rate of 75/75 + 30 seconds per move. The event offers a prize fund of USD 2,000 and is open to all players with a FIDE rating under 2200.
11:45, Monday, 28th August, 2017
We have updated our calendar of forthcoming events for the rest of the 2017 calendar year and our next major event is the 2017 Presidents Cup which is scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana from 15 - 17 September.
This tournament will be played as a 7 Round Swiss at a time control of 75/75 + 30 seconds per move and is open to all players with a FIDE rating of less than 2200. It offers an attractive prize fund of US$ 2,000!
The full calendar of forthcoming events for the rest of the year can now be accessed at http://www.kcfafrica.com/en/content/forthcoming-events-0
The tournament brochure for the Presidents Cup is available at
http://www.kcfafrica.com/sites/default/files/7th%20President%27s%20Cup%2....
Players from West Africa that are interested in participating are asked to contact the Chief Organiser, Mr Philip Ameku or the Tournament Director Ms Christiana Ashley. Their contact details are available within the tournament brochure.
Christiana can also be contacted where foreign based players require assistance to find accommodation close to the playing venue.
We have a number of strong events scheduled for the month of October 2017 and we will be releasing the full event brochures for these events within the next 2 weeks. This will hopefully allow adequate time for all interested players to plan their participation accordingly.
This tournament will be played as a 7 Round Swiss at a time control of 75/75 + 30 seconds per move and is open to all players with a FIDE rating of less than 2200. It offers an attractive prize fund of US$ 2,000!
The full calendar of forthcoming events for the rest of the year can now be accessed at http://www.kcfafrica.com/en/content/forthcoming-events-0
The tournament brochure for the Presidents Cup is available at
http://www.kcfafrica.com/sites/default/files/7th%20President%27s%20Cup%2....
Players from West Africa that are interested in participating are asked to contact the Chief Organiser, Mr Philip Ameku or the Tournament Director Ms Christiana Ashley. Their contact details are available within the tournament brochure.
Christiana can also be contacted where foreign based players require assistance to find accommodation close to the playing venue.
We have a number of strong events scheduled for the month of October 2017 and we will be releasing the full event brochures for these events within the next 2 weeks. This will hopefully allow adequate time for all interested players to plan their participation accordingly.
