Wahengo leads Namibia’s African Champs charge
Namibia’s reigning U8 champion Adam Wahengo impressed by claiming the country’s best finish in the open section at the African Youth Chess Championships held recently in Entebbe, Uganda.
Wahengo stormed to a fourth-place finish at the event, scoring 7/9 after winning seven of his nine games, making him Namibia’s standout performer at the African showpiece.
Namibia fielded 19 players across the boys’ and girls’ U8 to U18 age categories at the event.
Wahengo expressed pride in his performance, saying he left it all on the board.
“I tried my best and I am very happy to represent Namibia at such a big tournament,” he said.
The unrated Wahengo pointed to his sixth-round game against Uganda’s Sean Wavamunno, who had a rating of 1420 at the time and is now rated 1468, as his favourite game of the tournament.
“He was a very strong player. I stayed calm and found a good checkmate. After the game, he said anyone can win against anybody, which made me very happy,” he recounted.
Wahengo said he enjoyed meeting new people from across the continent, adding that he made friends and learned how other young players approach the game.
“It was fun to play against many different players from countries like Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Egypt. [I thank my coach] Israel Shilongo, who, together with other coaches at Rubinstein Chess Academy and my parents, prepared me well for this event.”
The tournament taught him to take his time, play diligently, think through every move before acting and never give up.
“I want to keep improving, play in more tournaments, and one day become a very strong player just like the queen on the chessboard. It is the most powerful piece as it helps create many checkmates,” he said.
‘Very proud’
Speaking on his achievement, Rubinstein Chess Academy congratulated Wahengo on his first international event.
“He got seven wins and two losses. He did very well and was one win away from claiming gold, as he lost to the eventual section winner, Egypt’s Zeineldin Mahmoud Sameir, in his final game.
“Mahmoud Sameir finished with an 8.5/9 score. We’re very proud of Adam!” the club wrote on its social media.
Other standout Namibian players at the event were James Diën and Frederick Cronjé, who also scored 7/9 in the U12 and U10 open sections, finishing seventh and eighth overall, respectively.
Shadah Uanguta scored 6.5/9 in the U12 girls’ section to finish ninth overall, while Sibusiso Angula placed ninth in the U18 open section with 5/9.
Amelia Brown also delivered a solid performance, scoring 6/9 to finish 10th in the U16 girls’ section.
