The 2022 African chess fire continues to spread across the zones . From Zone 4.1 , its time to crown the King of Zone 4.2. Fierce board battles have emerged in the Togo city of Lomé from 19th March 2022 to 27th March, 2022.
26 chess hungry contestants are participating in the Open Section and only six in the Womens Section. The ladies will play a double round robin while the Open Section will play 9 rounds.
Standing at 2472 Elo rating , IM Ortega Amarelle Mariano of Cape Verde is the highest rated player of the Open Section followed by Nigerian IM Balugan Oluwafemi (2308) , the one who gallantly played World Champion Magnus Carlsen at the 2017 Chess World Cup . Then there is another Nigerian, Etukapan Leonard (2197).
While Nigerian Ofowino Toritsemuwa (1904) is the highest rated in the Womens’ Section followed by the sensational Yayo Tvhetche Marie of Ivory Coast (1343)
Zone 4.2 is one of the Zones that changed beyond recognition after the reconstruction of the Zones that happened in July 2019. Zone 4.2 now comprises of Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Sierra Leon and Cape Verde.
None of its previous members: Seychelles, Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia and Sudan fall under this Zone name anymore.
In this year’s Zone 4.2 event, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Sierra Leon have fielded athletes in both sections, while Sierra Leone has only fielded athletes in the Open Section.
Last edition of Zone 4.2 took place in Mombasa, Kenya, in 2019. The Zone failed to hold OTB games in 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid 19 Pandemic and lack of funding.
GM Ahmed Adley , the defending champion is unable to defend because Egypt is now in Zone 4.1.
The ladies defending champion WFM Ivy Amoko is also unable to defend because Uganda is now in Zone 4.3.
Philip Ameku of Ghana is the current president of Zone 4.2 .
Talking about the host Federation , Togo – its one of the youngest federations in Africa , barely birthed in around 2003.
Having once served as Fide General Secretary , Noel Fumey is regarded as a great son of the Togolese Chess Federation.
There will be lucrative prizes of the winners.
