Cape Verde Women’s Championship 2023: Célia Rodriguez retains title

The 2nd Cape Verde Women’s National Championship, a 5-round Swiss tournament, took place from September 1-3 at Clube Juventude on the island of Sal.

As many as 20 players registered before the start, but due to the flight cancellation from the island of S. Nicolau to the island of Sal, only 19 participants ended up competing in the event.

Two rounds were scheduled every day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

In one of the morning rounds, some participants, probably unaccustomed to the strict regulations, arrived shortly after the 30-minute grace period and forfeited for non-attendance. Among these players was the defending National Champion, Célia Rodriguez, who was due to play the 2022 runner-up.

As a result, heading to the final round, Juliana Monteiro needed only a draw to clinch the title of 2023 champion.

Facing the defending champion, Célia Rodriguez, Juliana Monteiro grabbed the initiative in the opening and was building up the pressure until the 24th move, when she made a mistake to drop her advantage. In subsequent play, the two traded inaccuracies, but on move 78, there was a 3-time repetition. Unfortunately for her, Juliana missed that and did not claim a draw that would have secured her the national title. 

Célia Rodriguez went on to win this dramatic game and became a two-time Cape Veridan Women’s Champion, thanks to superior tiebreaks. For the runner-up, Juliana Monteiro, it was a painful lesson, but she showed that her chess had improved considerably.  

Final standings:

Complete standings

Official webpage: fcvx.org/cnf-2023/