Chess: 2023 African Zone 4.4 Championship |30 January 2024

Pillay (left) playing at the tournament (Photo; Contributed)

Ragul Pillay finishes 16th overall

Local player Ragul Pillay could only manage a 16th-place finish at the recently-held in 2023 African Zone 4.4 Chess Championship which took place between January 9-19 at the Destiny Hotel in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The Swiss-system tournament attracted players from seven countries, namely Madagascar, Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Seychelles and Ethiopia.

Pillay finished 16th out of 20 players, accumulating a grand total of 3.5 points.

The open category saw the pre-tournament favourite, international Master Malagasy Fy Antenaina Rakotomaharo being crowned champion.

Rakotomaharo is among the highest rated players with a rating gap of 300 Elos points ahead of the rest of the tournament pack.

Kenya's Master Ben Magana who was initially ranked seventh in the tournament, beat all odds to finish joint second and win a bronze medal just behind another Malagasy player Razanadrakotoarisoa Toavina.

The following  are the top three winners of the 2023 African Zone 4.4 championship.

Women's category

1. Ndirangu Joice Nyaruai – Kenya

2. Matisya Jully – Kenya

3. Tsinjoviniavo Aina Mahasambatra – Madagascar

Open Category

1. Rakotomaharo Fy Antenaina – Madgascar

2. Razanadrakotoarisoa Toavina – Madagascar

3. Magana Benjamin – Kenya

Compiled by Roland Duval