Chess Olympiad Round 3: African Chess Giants Continue to Shine at the 45th Chess Olympiad.

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Mhango Banele of South Africa. Photo credit: Michal Walusza/FIDE

Olawale Oyeleye Reports

Victories and Impressive Performances:

Egypt made a fantastic comeback by defeating Lebanon 3-1 after their loss in round 2. This victory highlighted their resilience and skill on the international stage. South Africa delivered a strong performance with a 3.5-0.5 win over Cote d’Ivoire. Their exceptional play was a display of their growing prowess in chess.

Algeria showcased their dominance by crushing Jersey 4-0. This impressive win shows their strategic depth and team coordination. Zimbabwe secured a solid 3-1 victory against Haiti, continuing their strong showing in the tournament. Zambia maintained their winning streak with a commanding 3.5-0.5 victory over Barbados, demonstrating their continued strength and skill.

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Team Zambia. Photo credit: Michal Walusza/FIDE

Morocco achieved a convincing 3.5-0.5 win against Oman, reinforcing their competitive edge. Tunisia also performed admirably with a 3.5-0.5 win over Vanuatu, reflecting their tactical expertise. Libya dominated Sierra Leone with a 3-1 victory, with a standout performance by Moses Ina (1631) who scored an upset victory against Elshaafi Ali (1984).

Sao Tome and Principe secured a solid 3.5-0.5 win over Bhutan, showcasing their strategic prowess. Mauritania defeated the Bahamas 3-1, continuing their strong performance in the tournament. Eritrea also achieved a 3-1 victory, this time over Macau.

Togo conquered Comoros Island 4-0, marking an impressive win for the team. Mauritius delivered a notable performance with a 3.5-1.5 win against Cambodia, highlighting their skill. Lesotho achieved a resounding 4-0 victory over Belize, showcasing their strength on the board.

Tough Matches and Challenges:

Madagascar faced a tough challenge against the Philippines, losing 3.5-0.5. Despite a commendable draw by IM Rakotomaharo Fy against GM Sadorra Julio, the team could not overcome the deficit. Sudan experienced a challenging match against Hungary C, falling 3.5-0.5. FM Ahmed Hassan‘s draw against IM Krstulovic Alex (2452) was a notable highlight.

Cape Verde faced a strong Macedonian team and lost 4-0. Similarly, Ethiopia encountered Albania and suffered the same fate with a 4-0 loss. Angola lost a close match to Sri Lanka, ending with a 2.5-1.5 result. Kenya faced Luxembourg and lost 3-1. Draws by Wanasunia Elvis Likoko and Mutuge Ian on boards 3 and 4 were highlights in an otherwise tough match.

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Team Ethiopia: Photo Credit: Mark Livshitz

Liberia struggled against Monaco, resulting in a 4-0 loss. Similarly, Namibia was defeated 4-0 by Indonesia. Cameroon experienced a tough match against Panama, losing 0.5-3.5. The Maldives defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Gabon held Chad to a 2-2 draw. Seychelles secured a win against the US Virgin Islands. However, Burkina Faso faced a tough opponent in Kuwait, resulting in a 4-0 loss. Tanzania managed a commendable 2-2 draw with Equatorial Guinea, a significant result given their lower rating.

Notable Results:

Libya’s victory over Sierra Leone included a notable upset by Moses Ina (1631) against Elshaafi Ali (1984). Burkina Faso faced a setback with a 4-0 loss to Kuwait, while Sao Tome and Principe and Lesotho achieved significant victories.

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