The Egyptian duo of GM Bassem Amin and WGM Shahenda Wafa emerged victorious and claimed the gold medal in the mixed-team rapid event at the 13th edition of the African Games.
They started the tournament on a low playing a 1-1 draw with Uganda, this was after Peninah Nakabo outshined WGM Shahenda. Quickly bouncing off from their draw against Uganda, Egypt claimed three consecutive victories against Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe and South Africa before playing a 1-1 draw with Algeria and sealing their gold medal with a 1-0 victory over Nigeria.
Concluding the rapid mixed with ten points just one point shy from Algeria who claimed the silver medal with nine points leaving the youthful Madagascar to settle for bronze with eight points.
MIXED TEAM RAPID MOMENTS
Nigeria comprising of Bomo Lovet Kigigha and Peace Samson caused a major upset when they defeated Zambia.
Despite finishing in position seven, Botswana (Gomolemo Rongwane and Natalie Banda) refused to be pushovers and they made sure that their opponents would sweat for the crucial points. They lost twice to Algeria and Madagascar won three games against Equatorial Guinea Ghana and Uganda and played a draw against Ivory Coast. A performance that saw them finish in position seven.
FACTS ABOUT RAPID MIXED TEAM CHESS AT THE AFRICAN GAMES
Egypt and Algeria successfully defended their gold and silver medals which they won at the 2019 African Games in Morocco
GM Bassem Amin of Egypt is the only player who has not recorded a defeat in the mixed rapid team event.