Africa
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The Obama Challenge
The life of a politician is one of many twists and turns. It is a high-profile position and one that requires the public servant to be accountable for every single action. Perhaps no public office is under more scrutiny than the Head-of-State. President-Elect Barack Obama will soon find out the…
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Ethiopian Chess thanks Donors!
Ethiopia had a very difficult time getting to Dresden for the 2008 Chess Olympiad. Having to navigate through the challenges of the visa process, they were able to travel and make a good showing. Of particular note was Desalegn Fekadu’s draw with a GM Alexander Baburin of Ireland. Kebadu Belachew…
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Ghana sets Calendar for early 2009!
Eddie Lamptey-Thompson just posted a message on the ghanachess group about the Ghanaian chess calendar. Ghana has rejuvenated their chess community and played in their first Olympiad in over 20 years when they competed in Dresden last month. They will use this momentum to launch a strong campaign to popularize…
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Historic Moments: African Diaspora at Olympiad
I’m compiling a photo montage of photos from the 2008 Chess Olympiad. It will contain images of players of African descent around the world. While covering the Olympiad at home from rounds 1-7, I noticed very few photos showing a diversity of federations. In fact, you would have thought only…
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Rwanda reports Olympiad visa problems
Rwanda, only fielding three players, also had visa problems and were not permitted to stay until the end of the Olympiad. It’s ironic that they mentioned the success of Uganda, a team fielding two players due to visa problems. Several other African nations reported visa problems. Other affected African nations…
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Uganda’s Kawuma scores 9/10!
Moses Kawuma (near right) playing against British Virgin Island’s Christopher Art. Kawuma scored 9/10 for the highest winning percentage in the open section. Steven Kawuma plays the legendary Bill Hook. Photo by Daaim Shabazz. Kawuma performance sparkles, but not golden Moses Kawuma and brother Steven came to the Olympiad with…
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Odion Aikhoje to be honored in Dresden!
International Master Odion Aikhoje is celebrating the 10th year anniversary of his gold medal performance at the Elista Olympiad in 1998. This was a crowning achievement for Africa’s most populous nation, but Aikhoje had to leave before receiving the medal at the closing ceremony. What happened to his medal thereafter…
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Ugandans in Olympiad Crisis!
Wanyama Harold (Uganda) After months of desperately trying to raise funds and attend the Olympiad, players on the Ugandan side are without visas to travel. Only two players have been able to secure a visa, but the team forfeited for failing to field 50% of the team. They have missed…
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Botswana added to list of visa troubles
Given that African federations raised the possibility of visa troubles in Germany at the 2004 FIDE General Assembly, the Dresden organizers should have forseen the current debacles. Botswana is the latest of African nations to have visa problems to attend the 2008 Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany. The tournament starts…
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Ethiopians denied German Visas!
BREAKING NEWS!! Ethiopians denied visas for Olympiad! Kebadu Belachew has lobbied for the past four months for funding to send an Ethiopian contingent to the Chess Olympiad in Dresden. Initially, Ethiopia had been barred due to arrears in FIDE dues. After negotiating with FIDE, it was agreed that they would…
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