Serge Andriatahina and Mercy Cherono claimed victory in the inaugural edition of the African Online Chess Championship for People with Disability.
The historic competition, hosted online through Tornelo, drew 25 participants from six African federations [Angola, Eswatini, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali and Morocco].Madagascar’s Serge Andriatahina claimed the open section championship with ⅚ points. Angola’s Adriano Leopoldo secured silver with 4½ points. Jamal Messala of Morocco earned bronze after a tiebreaker, resolving a tie among five players at 4 points.Kenya asserted its superiority in the women’s division, as Mercy Cherono garnered a flawless 6/6 score to capture the gold medal, while Janet Atieno and Mary Ndaku earned silver and bronze medals.
At today’s closing ceremony, Tshepiso Lopang, African Chess Confederation President, commended participants’ unwavering spirit in the inaugural championship. This landmark African Online Chess Championship for people with disabilities demonstrates remarkable dedication and heralds future tournaments. We prioritize universal chess accessibility, fostering inclusivity throughout Africa.
