The African School Individual Chess Championship has concluded, marking a significant milestone in promoting and developing chess across the continent.
The event, held from December 14th to December 21st, 2024, at the Hunters Royal Hotel, showcased young chess players’ talent, strategy, and passion across Africa.
Among the standout participants was Aziz Mathew Luke from Gambia, who competed in the Under-17 category and secured first place, winning the gold medal. Luke achieved an impressive score of 8.5 points out of 9 rounds, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament.
His excellent performance earned him a conditional FIDE Master title and qualified him for the 2025 FIDE World School Championships, set to take place in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia, in March 2025.
The championship attracted 39 participants from six countries. It featured intense matches across various age categories, including Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, and Under-17. The competition format was a nine-round Swiss Tournament that tested the young competitors’ skills and resilience.
In total, 11 players were crowned champions in their respective categories, earning qualification spots for the upcoming World School Championships.
This achievement is a testament to the hard work of initiatives like the Gift of Chess, run by Christina Pauline Aziz of Chess in Gambia Schools and Communities. This initiative aims to promote chess in schools and communities nationwide.
The championship’s success, particularly Luke’s achievement, underscores the growing recognition of chess as a valuable tool for youth empowerment and development in The Gambia.
This accomplishment also inspires young Gambians to explore the potential of chess for personal and academic growth.
