2009 African Individual Championships
The 2009 African Individual Championships will be held in Tripoli, Libya between the dates of July 20th-31st. The nine-round Swiss format will be the qualifier for the World Cup Knockout tournament to be held in Khanty Mansiysk, Russia. There are six slots awarded to the top finishers.
The invitation was sent to all African federations and all titled players are encouraged to participate in the Open event. There is a concurrent event for the women. Visas should be applied for at least one month in advance.
Invitation (PDF format)
Nizar ElHajj
Fax: + 218 -21- 4780495
Fax: + 218 -21- 3408305
E-mail: libyanchessfederation@yahoo.com, elhajnizar@yahoo.com
Maxwell Solomon, Kenny Solomon’s Blog
Jackie Ngubeni, The Chess Academy
Go Africa!
I here do wish all participants well!
Alas I see in the regulations that there will be no conditions available to one player per federation as was in the past? The financial outlay also does not seem cheap particularly for the Sub-Sahara players long surjurn to the north!
Having been involved with raising funds for these players to get to play this event (Which was not easy!), It is pretty obvious that there will sadly be very few participants this turn around. I wonder what the Africa chess leadership will feel when many expected players don’t show up.
By the way Africa has lost GM. Hicham Hamdouchi to France! Dammit!
The average player requires more than $1000 to play in Libya.Air Fares,Visa Fees,FORCED Hotel ,(remember European championships?)
https://www.chess.co.uk/twic/doellet07.html
https://www.chess.co.uk/twic/openeuro03.html
One cannot help but suspect that high prices in the hotel, offered by the organisers, is the main reason why participants cannot choose hotels.
and remember anyone who has been to Israel before will simply not be allowed a Visa.
Jackie I think there is a difference between Nationality and Citizenship in certain cases.I suspect GM Hamdouchi can play as a Moroccan if he was born in Morocco.Thus he would be a Moroco national with French citizenship (a passport to travel on).I am not sure if Morocco accepts dual citizenship.
The African chess championship is really a farce to say the least. One can not even draw a parallel between it and and an ordinary well organised tournament.
The issue I am trying to highlight is the huge outlay players have to entertain to participate (2 000 usd!) especially if you are a player from the Sub-Sahara Africa. I had privy discussions with several potential participants to this event this past weekend. They, including the current African champ (Gwaze) were scraping for cash in a regional tourney. Once I informed them about the invitation to Lybia, I saw the distress that followed when I broke down the expense tag. Many shrugged it off as a pass. Has any one realy looked at the invitation regulations?
The question I have and I know many of us avoid possing is what are the elected officials of the African Chess Union(ACU) doing all along to have such an expensive proposition thown at players? Do we expect to cultivate good chess when we never have good events only to economically bar young and budding prospects in this clandestine manner? How come the very ACU officials will travel lavishly to many meetings annually on FIDE expenditure? Stay in Five star hotels and eat well? What happened to the promise made during the Turin elections?
Many will be amazed to know that the newest GM of Africa; Simutowe (ZAM) lifted himself on his own bootstrips to put us all on the map of pride by becoming the real/first GM in Sub-Sahara. Not even a dime was thrown his way in a manner of “Organised” or concerted help from the leadership in Zambia, Africa or even FIDE!!!!!
Now tell me who the hell is going to try and gunner for this GM status which in the ACU continental championship only gives FM’s, IM’s as well as GM’s the “right” to participate. But must buy the right by tucking deep in their empty pockets? This, as if there were others who could play instead? Funny this is reversed when the Northern top players have to travel south!
I know the day will come when sons and daughters of Africa will showcase their intellectual talent without hindrenses and impediments. That day, Africa will emerge from this chess wilderness to stake her claim alongside world best on an equal footing. An African Magnus or an Africa Karjakin will stand up and shout Viva Africa!
There seems to be no solution to the expenses problem unless people push FIDE to provide paid accommodation which is a dream anyway.Raising more than $1000 in countries where incomes are as low as $50 a month is a problem.
Daaim have you done anything about Chess be it sponsorship or otherwise in Florida or Chicago or indeed sourced scholarships?if so how has been the feedback?
Even here in South Africa the sport is not properly marketed.Azanians do not know about Kobese,Cawdery and Solomon.
FIDE is really nonexistent in Africa.I once saw Gwaze.A humble yet powerful chessplayer.One of the great tragedies of life is to watch talent going to waste.Please somebody help.Gwaze,Kobese and Simutowe are GM material.
The expense tag is extremely huge, But I agree if Africa want some GM’s it should send players abroad. Wel all know sport in africa is not well established, its a part time activity hence it will not be easy for Africa to fully concentrate on sport like chess as long as is not viewed as something one can depend on.
The problem is not entirely on FIDE but on each country’s chess federation administration. When a player is in an international event, he is representing that country therefore is government to see up to it like the national football teams, they are mostly sponsored by their government.
The issue regarding expenses is simple and staright forward for me. I am bumping into GM-Elect Simutowe pleasantly regularly around the up-market surburb of Johannesburg (he is taking a well deserved hiatus!). He intimates to me the pouring invitations he is receiving from even organisers he has never heard of before from places he would love to touch bases with. All these passionate invites contain “sweetners” to assuage his trip making them difficult to turn down!
Given the WWW demand on his appearence, I ask, why would he detour to a place where is sort of “Unwelcoming” looking at the demand in expenditure and personal trouble he must endure? If the Zambian chess federation wants to do his duty for the country the action will speak louder than words. Or let’s just say “Cash is Key”. This arguement is applicable to many chess sacrificial lambs/doyens, the likes of Kobese and Solomon. Not to mention Africa talents like Chumfwa ( Zam) and Stander(RSA). They wisely abundoned the game for a clear career and school respectively. Good on them that they will not then spend hard earned money unwisely.
What realy pisses me off is that we saw FIDE send a huge delegation to Southern africa costing Thousands in USD. for what? To glorify chess, I was told! Well that was a useless trip that served no purpose iether than a sight seeing experience for those involved (in my opinion). That money could well help aliviate the expenses of what is obviously an important involvement of the underdeveloped continent. Gens una sumus, right? I unequivocally commend FIDE engaging and working damn hard for top chess organising the likes we see rolling out. However i believe nothing is done at the tail-end. At least as promised congress after congress. Daaim, I loved reading your missive “GENS UNA SUMUS”, I wish many in Africa chess leadership take time to learn from it!
Let me hint you about what now keeps me worried and awake at night cause i care too much about chess! Many players from the southern tip might just be unable to travel due to the high expense tag ( Flight, Accom +Meals = 2 000 USD, add also FIDE entry fee 100 USD). When Amon spoke to me contrasting Free invitations versus the Africa Champs hassle, I immediately impressed upon him how great an achievement it will be if he could be crowned King of the continent at this opportune moment. He simply dismissed this as not important that MUCH to him. So…let’s hope no one offers him Free flight, Free accommodation and meals and an appearence fee, at the same period. Rather let’s hope my efforts as was in Angola BGI, I amuss enough support to make players travel at all cost (No punt intended!) I think you all know what Simutowe’s decision will be don’t you?
Simple footnote proposal; Fide Africa must NOT expect to receive money in this continents events, be ready to spend. So, don’t ask 100 USD entry fee, give appearence fee!!!!
Hi shabazz is a good news for the African chess federation for organizing the african individaul chess championship (A.I.C). but players from west african countries are having problem of invitation letter for tournaments like this. because the earlier the invitation letter the best time to proceed to embassey for visa application. that is why the continent have seen player from nigerian in the top level african chess headline, Adebayo adeboyega, odion A, Chikwere onyekwere, Bomo kigigha and Bunmi olape. we need tournaments in west african states,
Fide africa should do something about chess in west africa states.
we have company like globacom telecomminication in nigeria that can sponsor any kind of chess tournament even the chess olympiad.
thank u for ur time
Daaim I am sure you do not understand the meaning of sacrifice.For someone to sacrifice there has to be some form of material i.e for you to sacrifice a rook on a Chessboard ,there has to be a rook on the board.You are asking African players to sacrifice ,where is the money in first place??Social security in most of Africa does not exist .If you are not working you simply are expected to starve ,It is not like USA where one can get food stamps etc .There is nothing in first place to sacrifice.How do you sacrifice $1500 when you earn $20 a month ??.
We all need to find sponsorship for Chess not just sit around and write worthless books and blogs like what most GM’s are doing .They would rather play 3 days for a first prize $200 than seek sponsorship.Its sick as that!!Unless Chess lovers do something this game is dying a natural death.
You only sacrifice if something is there . e.g you could work because there was a job,it was only a matter of committment.These things do not necessarily exist in Africa.Where does one sacrififice $1500 without even a graveyard shift??You even had welfare choice ,Welfare don’t exist in Africa.It is advisable to look at things objectively than give usual porkies for answers .This tournament is simply beyond reach for majority of players.
Greetings chessdrummers!!
I just had a peek at the invitation document and I have to say that it is not economically wise for players from the Southern part of the continent to attend. Simple math, the 1st prize in the women’s section is US$2500 and the damages for participating is more US$2000 which is not very attractive for Southerners who have to travel to Libya via Europe.
I am convinced its easier to “write” on Chess than secure any meaningful sponsorship at least for the majority of people here .
What are people like Ncube doing in FIDE if thats the case?
The African Individual Championship is always an exciting tournament. Does someone know if there is a provision to make the games and at least day by day actions public?
Dear ShabaIzz!
I hope that you can remeber me as well i do. I´m from Angola Chess Federation and we met ourselves in Dresden last year.
Is there any site or blog to see the games or news of the African Chess Championship in Libya?
Please write: paispinto@hotmail.com
Best regards
Pais Pinto
update please! All of Southren Africa would be nice
Shame on African chess organisation, such a big chess event in africa and someone has to search for info all over the web, to no avail. How was Libya selected to host such a big chess event when they are clearly incompentent to where publicity is concerned.
Shame on libya. Why was libya selected to host this event when we all know that they were problems even when they hosted the world Chess championship.
Many thanks Daaim, please keep us informed.
You are right, at least there should have been minimum coverage. This is a much bigger chess event compared to South Africa Open and yet we were well up dated during the South african open.
Well done Chessa!!
Where can we get the results and the pairings? any idea?
And why can’t this Nizar El-Hajj (I assume he is in Libya) give us the current ranking?
By now we would be satisfied with ANTHING.
I found something
https://chessaleeinlondon.wordpress.com/2009/07/23/african-individual-chess-tournament-2009/
I checked logging of our players to ICC , and found that they logged a lot of times , and now Just meet4 Mona Khaled on Net ( Yahoo messenger ) , she told me that she did not know the results of Men , and she asked the Chief Arbiter before about results , he replied that only Women Results wil be on Net !
What I know Only , results of one of my players , Wageih, Kareim African Junior Ch. , He draw against Rezzouk 1st Round and lost to Amin, Bassem 2nd Round and won Algerian rated over 2200 3rd Round and will play against Tunisian over 2300 4th Round
It is like puzzles to know Men particpants and Results , may be it is not published due to Visa problems !!!!!
I just saw this “rapid” results too. I think this is the real thing – results from the men’s championship. I have no idea why the word rapid was thrown in. Is thare even supposed to be a rapid tournament held paralely???
I belive this is what we have been waiting for, but I wonder why only first two rounds have been submited. Definatelly strange things happening at this championship.
SAopen had new solution for some players to play via Internet so next time no visa you can play via internet !?
On the other look – I don’t think this is the real thing.
What is this rapid championship? Is there even supposed to be one?
Ok, if you say so.
But this is the first time I hear that rapid competition is held paralel to a continental championship.
It is like Abracadabra…… The more you look the lesser you see and understand. There most be something fishy going on!!!!!.
Good news, the men’s section is also now being published online, I’ve updated my post a minute ago with the link.
People should simply get over this .Its very normal when you allocate Federation posts to people who don’t care about Chess .This is simply what they do .if any professional players in Africa are reading this ,its simple ,stop whinging and get in there yourselves or you will get abused until your soul cannot take it anymore.
The solution is simple ,players should run the Federations themselves because nobody else cares about them .Do you honestly think a President of Angolan Chess would care if Aderito Pedro is starving??Ok Azmai and Makro are at least GM.s themselves.Ever wondered why patzers like Omuku,Dabilani and Ncube hang around Chess?? of coz the money and small incentives!!
I love the Jamaican Federation where the players hold posts themselves like Shane Matthews,Elliot Warren ,nobody pushes them around and decisions are made collectively . Why should people give responsibility to non responsive reptilians to run something their lives depend on??
Yes, Daaim…it is
I got a call from Amin, Bassem ( from a phone central ) now , the tournamnt is 34 Players , Abdel Razik, Khaled leading alone with 3.5 and each of Amin, Bassem – Adly, Ahmed – El Gindy, Essam – Ezat, Mohamed – Abdelnabbi, Imed are 3 points ( I do not know if there is others not from Egypt have 3 points or no ) his voice was not clear .
Bassem won Kobese , and adly draw with Abdelnaby
It is still so strange, not to submit the tournamnet on Net !!!!
all can go mow chess-results , at last the tournament on Net
https://www.chess-results.com/tnr24026.aspx?lan=1
Miracle happened!!! I can die peacefully now
I hope the results will come after each round from now on, and that it isn’t just a one time thing.
Now that “information blockade” has been lifted wouldn’t it deserve a new blog entry? I mean a new article/report instead of doing it inthe comments field?
By the way, tomorrow is a rest day (so don’t panick if the table doesn’t get updated ;))
Hi Daaim
We correctly should be relieved to see the results from the ubiquitous chess-results site, albeit since only the latter rounds. But in no way should this be a ‘letting of the hook’ of the mishaps on the part of the organisers and ACU. The critisism must remain relentless to such an extent that it should deter and discourage deviant bahaviour in future! It is the only weapon in the hands of ordinary people.
We should also demand to see the games, because chess like all sports, is about the action. Perhaps chess more so.
Egypt leading with seven postions after five rounds is embarrassing, I have opined on my site in stinging and revealing detail. Yes! It embarrassing. To all Africa federation led by skullduggerers, despots and ‘thugs’, let this be a lesson. They are denying their talent to shine! I opined further that Zimbabwe would have dominated the leader-board of this event if earlier-on they were blessed with a good chess visionary leader. Because the ‘chess diamonds’ are plentifull in this sad nation! I am sure, because as they had the IM. Mamombe when the tittle was not fashionable, they produced an incredible array of talent long before Gwaze(Sadly he is not defending!). We see amazing sparks of brilliance still sprouting even after e.g. a certain DION in the SA Open 2009! Egypt has long chosen th path of good-chess-governance & hard-work, and it now is paying dividends. Let the numbers speak for themselves 3 GM’s, 24 IM’s, 40 International Arbiters plus many caveats!)
On how we should relate on this blog, I think a long list is best as it steam-lines comments and gives max reference for late joiners.
Jackie same thing I am talking about,if the Zimbabweans you mention came together the players themselves something would come out.But this wait and let someone lead us attitude gets you nowhere.If they know their potential ,why not organise themselves??Why wait on dreams and hopes that someone will wake you up??Players SHOULD learn to organize themselves and take charge of Federations like I mentioned earlier.
Daaim you cannot easily manage to do it your own way whilst at same time bowing to somebody’s needs. Take for example Ncube ,who does not only sit and do nothing but actually kills Chess in every sense ,in the case of Simutowe.Why would Simutowe bow to a patzer with no playing record ?? Players should run Chess or continue in deep frustration ,simple.
Well Daaim ,I am for player power anytime ,the destiny is always in your hands that way ,seems we will never agree on this .
Hello Darren
The Jamaican model is an Ideal model that clearly seems to work for them but is impractical as a template or permanent solution for other instances. I believe Daaim’s essays postulates closest what I might concur with. Unfortunately, in my opinion FIDE to some extent, is the main problem. Many African Federation leaders are ONLY needed for elections. For this, they are rewarded financially, given status and some unprocedurally awarded Grandmaster title for their players simply to ganner votes that maintain the status quo. I still want someone in Botswana to tell me how the WGM tittle was earned as it serves only to insult that country!
Take another instance why I believe Farai mandizha may have been IM today; the Zimbabwe Fed President who plays chess at every chance he gets ahead of genuine players, frantically made means that no player represented Zimbabwe even after the player travelled to a Junior Championship in Zambia, at his own cost and sacrifice ready to win it. You would hope the FIDE official at the venue (Mr. Ncube: The organiser then!) would let the young man play? Not a damn! Instead he barred Farai Mandizha. Mr. Ncube did not want to upset the vote from Zimbabwe to become VICE PRESIDENT of FIDE, and the Zimbabwe incumbent is still the ‘untouchable’ PRESIDENT!
So we must deal with the root causes and not the symptoms, if we are to eradicate mismanagement and prosper chess.
On the Championship matter, Daaim, I respectfully differ with you. I think the Egyptians will dominate top places this time. Not only are they very strong and prepared. Plus they play high level chess consistently. They even contrbersially can play the card up their sleave! You know, the one Fischer accused Russians of playing. Afterall GM. Adley has already being slated as a qualifier. I however hope they keep their good chess integrity and win fair and square. But with so many draws, who is to say the CARD is not already in Play?
Its very unfortunate that individual talents are being trumped by unprofessional management. Its high time we got the people with the right mentality to lead our federations. Zambia has massive talent when it comes to Chess and fielding 1 player at a tournament of such magnitude is detrimental to current and future success. Egypt is a power house and we need our federations to learn how affairs are handled by the Egyptian Federation. It is suffice to note that every tournament has its own lessons and this is a time for both players and federation personnel to learn from the experiences at hand. Chess lovers, lets embrace this beautiful game by ensuring that we task our federation and it all starts by ushering in people who have a vision to improve chess and a strategy on how that is to be achieved and these should be measurable. FIDE may have its own issues but lets clean our own houses (federations) first before we can pounce on them. Lets not make chess positions political, chess is such a beautiful game and a marval to watch.
I agree with Jackie when he says that the Egyptians will dominate owing to the many players they have fielded and the fact that they are already leading after 5 rounds.
The rule about players of the same federation not being paired against each other in the last round is also being used in 3.3 zonal that is also being played this moment.
LET SEVEN BE THE NEW SIX IN AFRICA, PLEASE!
Hi Daaim,
Your analysis is spot-on. Good reporting sir! Still however in my crystal ball I see Four or Five Pharoes making the top six. The question that begs an answer is will ACU add the seventh player by virtue of GM. Adley making six! Let’s not leave this to chance or too late!It may help ease tensions in Tripoli!
I totally agree. The key phrase is “African officials have to make sure!”Not like they cocked it up in Zambia, but rather like they got it right in Namibia! Re spoiler Adley, I was kinda hoping that he entered to try notch-up the crown as part of his already impressive CV. I am happy with his determination, which clearly includes blasting his own countrymen nontheless! The leader-board has shed the all Egypt look. However my crystal ball shows at least four out of Six as Egyptian best. Rules of this event suggest in their design, aspertions and suspetions about players throwing games. I have a problem with this approach. In any case we are heading for drama from the penultimate round. Mark my words!
Shabazz,
I like the confidence you have in ‘the zambezi shark’. I am actually a Big fan of his. I really dont think he is going to outwit Abdel-Raziz, my prediction is that they will draw. What are your predictions for the final round after Simutowe’s 8th round draw?
Hi Daaim,I must admit your analysis is convincing! I concede. I want to say though that one cog in your prediction will send more Egyptians to the world cup. I was at table-side in Nam when Simutowe, in a seemingly winning end-game, fell asleep behind the wheel so to speak and was awoken by a soft gentle whisper of “Flag!” by a delighted Abdel.
Here is my revised prediction: Top Six; Amin,Kobese,Elgindy,Belkhodja,AbdelRazik, Last spot Simutowe or Solomon! (;-)
Daaim Shabazz,
I am answering here, because somehow I can’t seem to post a comment in the “African Champs heats up” post.
I was refering to chess-results site. Until yesterday/today there were no glags displayed. Whoever uplods the results must have added this.
I also wasn’t refering to your reports. They are great and without this site we would be completely in the dark. You are doing a fantastic job.
My (rhetorical) question was whether this “taking up the shape” (results coming regulary, adding of flags) means that we will get a report from Libya , and maybe even see some games, before the conclusion of the tournament.
yes indeed, we heading for a last round thriller!
If Pro beats Rizouk in rd 8 he will win his last game for a 6/9 finish!
Just know now that Amin and El Gindy and Sarwat and Abdelnabi won their games , we see the return of Jackie Crystal !!!
The sum of all the parts indicate that we have to be more proactive as players within our various chess federations in Africa. Most countries will more than likely have a sports body or council that provides a budget assigned to various sports including chess, but like most projects the trail probably ends in someone’s pocket. It is this trend that has to stop. I believe we need the political will of various govt to effect change if we are to make progress. This is within the context of the struggle acquiring private sponsorship.
First step – I charge each and every single body managing chess in their respective African countries to do some fact finding within their National sports organizations. There is a budget for football, tennis, hockey, cricket, athletics and I dare say any sport under the sun, but what happens is those greedy officials look at the more obscure sports where there is hardly any interest and line their pockets. So its up to us who have the interest of the sport at heart to find the time and dedication to follow the trail, within our national sports organizations.
Once we have done this basic and I must say very hard task then we can begin to prevail. The key is not to let up but to persist because one is not going to stop the flow of this money getting into those pockets without a sweat. Then we can start talking!
Amin Bassem is already in World Cup.
It looks like at least 4 Egyptian (not counting Adly who is already qualified) will qualify, but it could also be 6/6 for pharaons.
This will be extarordinary if Egypt takes all six spots…. and a lesson for sub saharan Africa to take notes..
I TOLD YOU SO!!!!
It pains me to say I was right. Being correct speaks of the frustration I suffer knowing some outcomes before they happen!! Am I a prophet or a sanusi? NO! It was easy to have figured this out. The ubiquitous Chess-Results site we are glued to for info shows how good the Egyptian chess fraternity is kept busy. Following their games and contrasting them with our other top players using Deep Rybka3, you’ll immediately realise how deep in trouble less active players like Kobese will be against them. Plus I am privy to the fact that some of their players sacrificed a lot to prepare!As for our newest GM. Simutowe, his preparation was perhaps not the best for obvious reasons. I witnessed in Angola at first-hand how he easily got rattled by side-shows! He would need to abundon the ‘Rambo’ approach and lean on some assistance. Not so much chess-wise (he has amazing talent!), but basically to aliviate with the errand business of Bookings, Confirming, Negotiating, and several obvious stuffs. I intimated this to him. He needs a MANAGER desperately so he can give us 100% pure chess effort! Believe me this man can be +2600 with little effort! So as well many others I personally know!
I want to reiterate that as an African I am proud of the Egyptians! Credit must go to chess impressarios like Mr. Hassan Khaled who tirelessly and unselfishly work for the interest of the sport and those who play it! As for Africa at large, let this be a lesson, get your federations in order! Egyptians are Hard-workers thus they deserve the glory! My prediction revisited : Minimum FOUR Egyptians or even a white-wash is possible!
You becha! Thanks! I must thank you for the work you put in to serve chess with this site. The chess drum has qualified to go to Russia (:-)
Shabazz,
It pains me more than it pains you that ‘The Zambezi Shark’ failed to swim in Egyptian ‘waters’ yet again! I am a Zambian by the way and believe me you-even the little sanity we had in our chess federation is gone! These days its very hard to find a chess tourney in my country and many of us are opting to just concentrate on our careers. There is enough chess talent in Zambia to dominate the entire continet but our federation is to a large extent non-existent! If players qualify to represent the country, they end up frustrated because more often than not-the money is not available at the time of the trips. I think its high time we the chess players started running chess affairs (i dont know who will be playing then). Hard luck-Amon (change your citizenship if you can!)
Re: He needs a MANAGER desperately so he can give us 100% pure chess effort! Believe me this man can be +2600 with little effort! So as well many others I personally know!
Jackie, why don’t you become Amon’s Manager. I am sure you have the negotiating and organizing skills necesarry to do this job?
Thanks Jackie for your nice words, thanks Shabazz for your great efforts , Bassem Amin just won his game after less than one hour from the start of Round 9, he is the Champion , and Khaled Abdel Razik Draw his game , I have also the first 8 games of Khaled , and I will email it to you .
Our players Just finished a tournament in Cairo on 16 July , all was egyptians ( link for its results and games https://www.chess-results.com/tnr23612.aspx?lan=1 ), its main purpose was for prepartion for African Ch, it was Top 10 ( and its prices was 5 prices 1000 – 800 – 600 – 400 – 200 $ and also 100 $ for each player as a pocket Money and full accommodation for all , but there was 2 from our top joined our Youth players as coaches in both Syria ( Abdelnabi in Arab Youth ) and in South Africa ( Sarwat in African Youth ) and Abdel Razik played in Yemen Open ( https://www.chess-results.com/tnr23506.aspx?lan=1 ) also 2 working abroad ( El Taher , and Shoker )
i AGREE WITH Number 107
I’m Zambian as well, and i went to the same secondary school as Amon in Ndola. And yes, it’s hard to find a good tourney that attracts top players. I played in a tourney some weeks ago,(after some years, and this was a really small tourney sponsored by an individual) and the reason why i only played 4 out of nine rounds was simple. I was busy with my own life of making money and working!
Our federation is a problem on it’s own, and to some extent, most of our players still need more tounaments for exposure and learn new ideas!
and Jackie raises a very important aspect about Amon (like Jackie knows amon himself deeply). It’s true, Amon likes the RAMBO approach to things…i will tell you one thing, he isn’t so popular amongst other chess players here in Zambia, but thats a different debate anyway…
Anyway, all the best Amon, i know El Gindy ain’t easy meat, but just go for it…!
My prediction, El Gindy gets Amon …….. AGAIN!!
Where can i find these games anyway…??
Why are some people seemingly hating on Egyptians? Who the cap fit,let them wear it!!Its not a secret Bassem is strongest African player in this day excluding Hamdouchi.And as I rightly predicted,he is winning this.
Replying 108 Leonard;
I recently had fruitful discussion with him about the Management issue. I am more interested in holistic/ broader approach to at least solve the problem eternally. That indeed will involve Amon! Let’s hold thumbs.
Posting 111, the relationship regarding other Zambian players should not bother you. In fact you will be suprised that ZCF is responsible for the bad-blood as they always pretended that they all the money went to Amon’s success. at least that’s what I had to perry out of the mentality of less talented players.
General advice to all is, just as Amon made it by lifting himself on his own boots straps, so can you in organising small events to highlight the chess setback in Zambia. Rightfully, where would he be if he waited for help? Do something! You have the power!
HI EVERYONE!
Please read Thread 109 by Hassan! This is serious privy! The Egyptians have given their players a huge boost in preparing for this event. So, you wanna begrudge them? I know Amon was being sent pillar-to-post by officials in Zambia with false promises! This at the eve of this major event nogal!.
I am proud of his efforts even more especially when I know that the playing field was not level! He won the touney in Angola, Luanda; He won the SA Open with seasoned GM s at play; OK, if he does not make top six, so what? He is billed as a deserving Star in Norway starting within two days. Don’t cry for him! He is looking good regardsless!
Why are some people mixing up Zimbabwe Chess Federation ,ZCF with Chess Federation of Zambia CFZ ??
Last news , Bassem Only draw at morning , also Khaled and Adly , So 1st Bassem then Khaled – Then Adly then El Gindy , then Sarwat and 6th. Ezat all qualified , and waiting for Tie break match between Algerian Rizouk and Haddouche for 7th place . ( they aksed to let Ezat join them in Tiebreak Matches , But Nizar told them that Tiebreak rules apply only for last needed place )
Also for Women Melissa and Mezioud qualified , and waiting for tiebreak matches ( winner of Solomons and Latreche ) against Mona.
Also There were Blitz African Ch. on restday on Sunday , won by Adly 2nd Khaled then Amon , Then Mohamed, Farag (EGY) then Ezat
Thanks Hassan for the update
Not only is it strange, it was not what was writen in regulations. I have no idea how could one interpretate this from the regulations. The tie-break criteria is clearly listed in order they should be used and the last paragraph clearly states:
“In the event of the foregoing tiebreak system being inconclusive, tie break matches will be used as a final resort.”
So five Egyptians qualify to represent Africa, big deal. We can, “We should” all learn a good deal from this experience. They went into this full force. Administrators doing what they are suppose to do and players, well Players focusing on the 32 pieces doing battle on the 64 squares and getting the points.
We can point fingers as much as we want but until we remove the stumbling blogs in the way of efficient progress, we will always be in this situation and being disappointed.
1) The mother body on the continent “Africa”, it’s failing.
2) My own CHESSA, it’s failing (So as ZCF, CZF etc.).
3) People like me, we are failing our own undeveloped young talent. Who can blame us? Nobody can because we are working very hard for our families. Wait, History will judge us very harshly as we chose not to stand up and be counted. We keep on not getting our little resources together and acting accordingly. We are always the victims, the ones who must get handouts, the ones who need to be rescued. That’s old, we need to get whatever little we have, and move on it.
Comment #107 & #111, for the Shark to change Federations, it’s not the answer. We the people on the ground with all the power in the world are the answer. Our Federations are misusing Government grants (regardless how small), we need to bring them down. Our fathers struggled to free us from the white oppressors. They too had families to take care of, but still stood up and were counted. We need not use guns, just a little creativity and you‘ll.
I do not have all the answers and I am sure it’s not gonna happen tomorrow, but that shouldn’t stop us from taking the first step.
”but”, # 109Hassan Khaled has given us a small hint of what it takes to have your country men dominate a Continent.
tebatso.
https://mg.chess.org.za/index.htm
I don’t know who is in charge of CHESSA’s publicity…but on this link of Mid-Gauteng Chess in SA…it has been announced that Melissa Greeff won the Women’s section. I’m just wondering…where is CHESSA..the “Official” website of SA Chess! This is news one should read on CHESSA first!
Mona qualified after 2 Rapid games ( not 4 as in the regulations ) , So I think they agreed in the tecknical meeting the final regulations for the tournament .
No one got GM norm , so Both Khaled and Walaa made a perfomance less than 2600 , and to get norm you must have Gold medal or perfomance more than 2600 . And note also that this Tournament qualify for men to World Cup not World Ch. and for Women to World Ch.
Khaled Got 2 GM norm in Dresden Olimpiad and also 2 IM norms ( so he had IM norm before then obtained IM title ) and he sacrified a medal on his board in Dresden ( he was 7 out of 7 ) and still 2 rounds . In Round 10 after my advice played against Mamedov from AZE and played last round also to complete 9 Gmaes which was necessary for Norms
Khaled played last round against 2239 , and from 1 July for GM norm Rating raises only for one player to 2200 not 2250 as before , Khaled performance was 2568 after Round 8 , and he also draw only at the last round , so now his performance is 2538 only
His only chances was to play against Aimen Rizouk 2506 at the last Round instead of El Kamel , and also he need to win , then his performane will be 2602 and get his last GM norm !!!!
The other variation , he win his last game against anyone, and Bassem loss , Then Khaled will be the Champion with Tiebreak ., and the Gold medal earn GM norm ( if it was qulaification to world Ch. it woill be Full GM title. So congratulation to Mellisa which got WGM Title . I do not know the rest , so full results not clear yet !!!!
Wow!
This was an Egyptian Chess spectacular show! One that should shame Federations unsupportive of their subjects! Kgomotso hi, good to hear you via this forum. I share your sentiments and lets talk off-air regarding what we can do on the ground! Hassan, thank you for the info flow, please pass my fondest regards to my brothers and congratulate them for me! Like the towering wonders Pyramids are, they have sent a clear message to their motherland and beyond. I am particularly more proud as they were prepared to clobber each other for the sake of fair-play!
Dr. Amin Bassem, KING of AFRICA, YOU ROCK SON!!!!
Jackie…
You are absolutely right!
Final results anyone…!!
We waited 5 days for the first results, maybe we will have to wait 5 days for the final results
Daaim
Bassem just called me , and I asked him to email me or you with his games and photos today , they will arrive tomorow .
Final Results on Chess Results from about one hour .
The results are in
https://chess-results.com/tnr24026.aspx?art=4&lan=1&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000
So who got thee last World Cup ticket, Haddouche or Rizouk? Who won the rapid tie-break?
Chess-results has the results from last 9th round now. Tiebreaks wont be shown there. We need someone from Libya to say who has won the tie-break
When I view the results for the men, it seems that there were entirely too many draws on the top boards given the that the quallification spots were at stake. In contrast, all the women’s games were decisive in the last round. I do not accuse any player of not fighting without knowing more, but this is not the last round result I expected.
Kimani A. Stancil
Well, on first 5 boards Egyptians only needed a draw and probably played for it from move 1. Mohamed Ezat needed to win and did so. Abdelnabbi and Solomon both needed a win tio have a chance, and probably aldo both tried to, but it ended in a draw.
So if you take the standings into account, the last round results ARE logical.
The outcome is logical if the better positioned player is necessarily
considered the stronger player as if they are able to maintain a draw at will and with both colors. My expectation is not based on whether the better positioned player(the Egyptians in this year’s case) can take a draw but is whether the lesser positioned player(all others) should be game enough to take the chances needed to win(and possibly lose). I have not done any of the tie-break calculations, but is it somehow true that if every player who had 4.5 going into Rd. 9 ended at 5.5, then they would still not qualify? Or is it that based on the calculation that early draws influenced later draws in the round? I can also see that it may
be possible that early draws influence later draws as one may choose(or attempt) to draw later to enhance the qualifying chances of friends that need wins but suffer more if you lose.
Daaim
Boy O boy! from all the comments it appears this was an exciting championship, but what a shame about publicity from what I gather. I tried to access the live games via World Chess Live but had no response to my requestl. A whole African Chess Championship not broadcast on WCL!! or was it? To put it in perspective I was able to request and watch the Ghanaian matches in Dresden live on WCL. Okay so it was the Olympiad but….
I think Daim that you are filling a huge gap in the market promoting black and diasporan endeavours in chess. As they say if you dont bigup yourself nobody will, so kudos to a work in progress.
Is it possible to use your ‘Talking Drum’ to explore this with WCL so that if indeed there was no coverage on their server, come next African Championship we are represented? I will do an email to WCL in the mean time to find some answers.
The issue of visas simply beats my imagination plus did someone quote $2 G costs for Tripoli? The question remains that if there continue to be impediments to progress in our own backyard how much more Dresden where across the continent we had a number of African teams without their full contingent. I think Egypt have shown us that with good organization and commitment we can go places.
I guess the best way foward is for Bassem Amin, Melissa Greef and others representing Africa, to make their mark on the global stage and in the process prise open those doors. Our representatives at Fide should be pushing foward the African agenda even harder to create a level playing field where all embassy’s around the world cannot deny a player or a team from our dear continent access. Must look for your interview with Ncube.
Daaim
I just got all men Games , and I emailed iy to you . Best wishes for all
Daaim,
Just wanted to update following my query with World Chess Live for not covering the African Championship.
Their response ‘some tournaments require huge fees from us in order to show them, so we cannot afford to do it yet. As we grow we will be doing more and more, so if you have a request, by all means suggest it’.
So there is a window of opportunity for the future if this is not mere lip service and an avenue for the African Chess Federation to persue.
Congratulations to you Mr. Amin on a successful result, and to all the participants it seems you had a wonderful time! The lack of coverage is unfortunate yet expected from theses people, they tried this stuff in basketball and everything else, it wont be long now, but we have to thank you all for being the pioneers! Bless.
The reference is to the world of chess who have consistantly made excuses for not giving mother Africa her proper respect ,be it on the continent or someplace else, it is the same old psyche.
Aha! Daaim
so there is a way foward via DGT boards. I would Like to see this followed through by the next championship. Could you put this foward as an agenda for both African and Caribbean Federations to look at ie to find the money! As you rightly point out we have to force our way into the mainstream, the talents will definitely come through with time.
The piece on Amon Simutowe is fantastic, I am extremely proud of this guy’s achievement – didn’t come easy. Congratulations Amon!
Brother Shabazz your comments have truly been enlightening and i thank you for them,however, i must add that personal triumphs in eurocentric events is not something that “moves” yours truly, yet rather i am here to see to it that we are given the proper historical respect in our royal game, then i will leave competitive chess as easily as i have come, of course i will win some of their events change the rating they give me, but this doesnt mean too much because the current form of chess is all biased towards WHITE but they are learning different now because of your site in fact, just go to chessgames.com and you will see them playing a bit better with BLACK, but this is just a start for CHANGE. BLESS.
Ok thanks for your input i surely need it! hahaha although im not completely sure what your perceving, my chess buddies here in the Buffalo warned me about my atypical ideas!! haha They say im crazy i respond, POSSIBLY! PEACE AND LOVE TO YOU ALL !!
Great blog! Will it be possible to use some pictures for a website?
Thanks
Willy
hello , i tell you that mezioud amina and algerian federation lie to tell that mezioud amina is african champion you can see that at algerian site of federation https://www.fade-dz.com/ do something with fide and algerian minister to punish liers .
thanks
…and South African boasts with a First! … An International Woman Grandmaster! Melissa Greeff.