Luanda - The international masters (IM) David Silva and Esperança Caxita start Sunday (18) seekinging points, aiming for the unprecedented title of Grand Master (GM).
In the pursuit of this purpose, for over a decade, both athletes who are the most promising of the new generation of national chess players can now add point during the absolute African Championships, both male and female, from 18 to 25 this month in Nigeria.
David Silva, player of Team Leader, a three-time African junior champion namely in Angola 2014, Seychelles 2016 and Togo 2017, with a playing strength of 2321, needs 179 points to get the much sought-after the title with the required 2,500 points.
Meanwhile, Esperança Caxita 1º de Agosto player, is also a three-time African junior champion namely in Algeria 2013, Angola 2014 and Tunisia 2016. Currently with an Elo rating of 1837, she needs 463 more points to reach the 2300 required.
The African chess championship does not provide the highest graduation in world chess, as it occurred in other times. Thus, the two athletes must add up the maximum points (victories) to reach the requirement of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and on another occasion be in a position to obtain the achievement.
The national team also comprise by the FIDE titles (MF) of 1º de Agosto, Luzia Pires (Elo rating 1752) and the MF of Ditrov School, Jemima Paulo (Elo rating 1736).
The squad leave Saturday to the events stage headed by the First Vice president of the Angola Chess Federation (FAX), Luís Santos.
However, in the last edition which was in 2021, Angola only participated with two athletes, David Silva (IM) who was in sixth position and Esperança Caxita (IM) who ranked below the top ten.
