After some earth splitting last round bombs that detonated on some of the top boards and a few draws, International Master Richmond Phiri emerged winner of the Zambia Open Chess Championship.
Despite emerging as Champion, Richmond Phiri did not detonate the biggest bomb blast of all as his last round game against countryman Prince Daniel Mulenga ended in a fighting draw, but it was enough to crown him King as he had a better tie break out of those that finished joint first position with seven (7) points.
The biggest blasts that decided the fate of the contestants in the last round were: GM Petr Kiriakov’s win over IM Andrew Kayonde, GM Raetsky Alexander’s win over IM Stanley Chumfwa, and GM Hesham’s win over FM Chola Musonda.
Grandmaster Petr Kiriakov of Russia was 2nd with seven (7) points. The rest of the top 5 positions that tied at seven (7) points were Prince Daniel Mulenga, GM Hesham Abderham, and GM Raesky Alexander on 3rd, 4th, and 5th respectively.
Missing out from this exclusive list is defending Champion IM Stanley Chumfwa, who lost the final battle against GM Raetsky Alexander.
Evergreen Lorita Mwango won the ladies section with a whooping eight and a half points (8.5) points out of the possible nine (9). She was followed distantly by Luubuto Bwalya on six and a half (6.5) points and Lina Mululu on six (6) points.
Davis Phiri ruled supreme in the Open Section with a modest seven and a half (7.5) points out of the possible nine (9). He was joined by Henry Ngomi who also finished with seven and a half (7.5) points. The 2 players were separated by Bucholtz tie break system.
Angel Zulu won the Under 16 Section with seven and a half (7.5) points while Kennedy Shane was 2nd with seven (7) points and Samuel Mkandawire completed the top 3 positions with six (6) points.
Moses Kalapizye won the Madala section with six (6) points. Same number of points as number 2 Robson Kankiza, with the 2 separated by Bucholozz tie breaking System. Number 3 was Humphrey Lwambula with five and a half (5.5) points.
Bright Mulonda won the Under 45 Section with six and a half (6.5) points. He was followed closely by FM Nase Lungu with six (6) points.
The Zambian Minister of Sports Moses Mawere commended the Zambia chess Federation for a great tournament.
Attached below are the prizes these players fought valiantly for:
Before the start of the tournament, with no less than four fully fledged chess grandmasters participating in the Zambian open this question was posed: “Can the first 4 positions of the Championship section be interrupted by a non grandmaster?”
Now we all know. Zambia is capable….
3 comments
Nice Job done by the Zambians and Evergreen Africa Chess Promoter Makhiso.
There was a five way tie for first?
Indeed!