FIDE Chess Calendar 2018 - African Zonals and African events

 The World Chess Federation FIDE has released the list of chess events for the 2018 Calendar year and it will be interesting to note that the zone 4.4 event is slated to be held at  Burkina Faso between 16-Mar-2018 and 24-Mar-2018,  Nigeria has not hosted this event for a number of years because of political differences between the leadership of the Nigerian Chess Federation and that of the African chess Confederation a development which has been condemned by a number of top Chess players and Commentators in the Country .
  The African Individual event which is arguably the biggest Chess event in Africa shall be hosted by Zambia between  11-May-2018 and 24-May-2018 , hopefully Nigeria shall have worthy representation from its pool of top players, other events o the list are African Amateur Individual Chess Championships 2017 in Zambia ,African Schools Individual Chess Championships 2018,African Amateur Individual Chess Championships 2018 in Ethiopia ,African Youth Chess Championships 2018 in Kenya ,African Club Chess Championships 2018in Egypt ,African Junior Chess Championships 2018 in Uganda,  Source .
FIDE Calendar 2018

African Events

For players interested in getting Direct titles from the Zonals and other Tournaments where such titles could be awarded there is now a minimum rating tied to the titles which is a measure to prevent players with very low FIDE rating from getting some titles, it is believed this will add some values to FIDE title gotten through Direct award after playing in those major events.  below is the relevant portion of the FIDE title Regulation effective from 1  July 2017

	Direct title (automatic title) is a title gained by achieving a certain place or result in a tournament. For example, winning, or achieving a result ≥50 percent in a tournament. On application by the player’s federation and confirmation by the Qualification Commission, such titles are awarded automatically by FIDE.
0.6	The Award of Titles
	0.61	Titles may be awarded for specific results in specific Championship events, or are awarded on achieving a rating as laid down in these regulations. Such titles are confirmed by the QC Chairman on advice from the FIDE Office. They are then awarded by FIDE.
	0.62	For a direct title to be awarded immediately an applicant has to have achieved at some time or other a minimum rating as follows: GM  2300  WGM  2100 IM  2200  WIM  2000 FM  2100  WFM  1900 CM  2000 WCM  1800 If an applicant is rated lower the title is awarded conditionally and will be awarded finally on request by the respective federation as soon as the minimum rating is achieved.  Any player with a conditional title may take a lower title when they reach the required rating for that lower title.
	0.63	Titles are also awarded based on applications with norms with a sufficient number of games. These titles shall be awarded by the General Assembly on recommendation by the QC that the candidate meets the requirements. The Presidential Board or Executive Board may award titles in clear cases only, after consultation with the QC. - CM Akinov