Robert Gwaze failed to travel to the tourney because he had already qualified for the World Cup to be held in Russia. Makoto became stronger as the championship progressed. In the sixth round he drew against El Taher Fouad before defeating against the tourney winner Grand Master Adly Ahmed of Egypt in the eighth round. The game took 66 moves and was of Makoto's best, as he managed a draw when both players had Bishops of the same colour.
Overall, he finished a credible joint fourth with 5,5 points together Grand Master Bassem Amin of Egypt who once scooped the World Junior Chess Championships. GM Adly won the tournament with 8 points out of 9 games of play. The second place went to GM El Gindy Essam of Egypt, and in third place was FM Steel Henry Robert of South Africa who had 6,5 points. The next competition is the South
Africa Open later this month. – Chess Reporter