Kenyans struggle in Africa Individual Chess Championship

Kenyan players are having a tough time in the on-going Africa Individual Chess Championships in Cairo, Egypt.

Robert Macligeyo who is representing the country in the open event has picked just half a point after he drew his opening match against highly rated Sameh Sadek from Egypt.

Macligeyo lost the subsequent matches going down to South African Calvin Klaasen and 13-year old Egyptian Farid Tamer.

The Kenyan is therefore lying 30th position out of 67 players who are taking part in the open event.

In the women category, Kenyan champion Joyce Nyaruai has picked just one point out of her three matches.

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After winning against Algerian Jana Tamer, Nyaruai went on to lose to Women International Masters (WIM) Lina Nasser from Egypt and Anika Denlasis from South Africa.

The Kenyan champion is currently lying 20th out of 29 participants. Egyptian Women Grand Master Mona Khaled is at the top of the ladder in the women category as he has won all matches.

She is followed by WIM Nassr Lina from Algeria who has also won all her matches. Another Egyptian WIM Elansary Eman lies third also with three points.

In the men category, Egyptians have taken the top three spots on the leader board. Khalid Ahmed Salem, Grand Masters, Adly Ahmed and Amin Bassem have all collected three points.

The tournament ends on May 14 and the winners will qualify to play in this year’s FIDE World Cup. Three slots are up for grabs in the event.