Uganda’s only representative at the Africa Individual Chess Championship in Egypt, Shakira Ampaire put up a wanting display.
The Woman Candidate Master has illness to blame for her poor performance which saw her gather only four points.
“I fell sick during the tournament. I didn’t manage to play as I wanted which was very sad for me,” Ampaire said.
Ampaire was hopeful she would do well despite missing the opening round but ended the tournament placing 21st.
She started with a draw against Paulo Jemima in the second round and lost the third round to Mohammed Azzab.
The WCM was able to earn her first victory at the competition in the round that followed by beating Jolly Nepando from Namibia.
Shakira Ampaire
Ampaire however, missed the sixth round after losing to Egypt’s Woman International Master Anzel Laubscher in the fifth round.
She recovered in the last three rounds as she got a bye before beating and drawing against Brhane Gebratsadik and Hassan Hala respectively.
In the end, she was able to secure two victories and as many draws but it’s the exposure that warned her heart.
“I’m happy I got to have this experience. But I think four points out of the six games I played is okay.”
Being a qualifier for the 2024 FIDE World Cup, the eventual winner in the Women’s section, Algeria’s Lina Nassr will represent Africa.
Her success also came along with a new title and the other reward for her triumph was a Woman Grand Master title.
In the Open section, GM Adham Fawzy from Egypt won the competition. He alongside Algerian, GM Bilel Bellahcene will represent Africa.
By: Rose Agwang
Courtesy Photos
