Jimla is rated 2119 and no one ever thought that with his rating he could defeat Makoto. In round two he was paired against Candidate Master Musatwe Simutowe the brother to Southern Africa’s first GrandMaster Amion Simutowe. Makoto had no kind regards to his opponent whom he defeated with no mercy before drawing against International Master David Silva of Angola with a rating of 2246.
He then faltered in round four against Fide Master Oragwu Chukwunonso (2191) of Nigeria. Makoto played well and won four consecutive games from round five to round 8 before meeting the eventual winner whom he played with the black pieces on board one that is, Grand Master Ahmed Adly of Egypt who had 7 points the time he played against Makoto. Makoto lost the game against this fancied player to finish with 5.5 points and tied 6th out of the almost forty participants who took part in one of the most difficult tournaments in Africa where the highest-ranked Grand Masters take part in.
Bajje Endashaw Shame of Ethiopia, Fide Master Mesfin L, with a rating of 2160, from Ethiopia, International Master Hbacha Achraf rated 2249 of Tunisia, AND Amdouni Zoubaie rated 2248 of Tunisia all lost to Makoto from round five to eight. Makoto who had started badly in round one was to falter further in round nine after a gruelling encounter against the eventual winner GM Ahmed Adly (2618) of Egypt. Zambia fielded five players namely: FM Douglas Munenga, IM Stanley Chumfwa, IM Andrew Kayonde and Fide Master Prince Daniel Mulenga.
Zimbabwe had only one representative and he surpassed the performance of all the Zambians. FM Douglas Munenga was the one who was closer with 5 points out of the nine games played. This tournament ensures that the winner qualifies to represent Africa at the World Cup which features the world’s best chess players. Africans have never performed very well at this tournament. Most of the Africans are eliminated in the first round and have never had anyone going to the final of this tournament.
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