The 2025 African Individual Chess Championship continued to thrill as Round 3 served up high-stakes drama and pivotal results in the women’s section.
At the heart of the action were Egypt’s formidable Wafa sisters — WGM Shrook Wafa and WGM Shahenda Wafa — who both preserved their unbeaten records in emphatic fashion.
Top seed Shrook Wafa exacted sweet revenge against Algeria’s WIM Lina Nassr, who had defeated her earlier this year at the Africa Super Zonal. This time, Shrook was sharper, faster, and more prepared, outplaying the fourth seed in a tense encounter that showcased her trademark precision and composure under pressure.
Meanwhile, on an adjacent board, her younger sister Shahenda Wafa shook up the leaderboard by handing defending champion WIM Jesse February her first loss of the tournament. The clash lived up to expectations, with Shahenda demonstrating steely nerves and clinical execution to halt February’s winning streak.
Elsewhere, on board three, Egypt’s WIM Joy Romany was held to a draw by Zambia’s WCM Lubuuto Bwalya in a balanced and fiercely contested duel that could have gone either way. The result keeps both players in the chasing pack heading into a critical Round 4.
One of the day’s standout performances came from 12th seed ACM Dema Alaa, who scored an impressive victory over Morocco’s Sarah El Barbry. The young Egyptian continues to impress with her aggressive style and sharp tactical eye — a breakout run that is turning heads.
Looking ahead, Round 4 promises fireworks as the Wafa sisters face off on board one in a high-profile sibling showdown that could reshape the title race.
Meanwhile, teenage sensations Joy Romany and Dema Alaa will battle on board two in what’s shaping up to be a clash of rising stars.
With every round bringing new twists, the road to the crown is far from clear — but one thing’s certain the African Individual Chess Championship is delivering world-class excitement with every move.
