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Africa Amateur Chess Championship

Nakabo Peninah: The African Chess Queen from Uganda!

by Ogunsiku Babatunde June 11, 2018

written by Ogunsiku Babatunde

Interview By: Paul Kafuko

In March 2018, a relatively unknown Nakabo Peninah took the African continent by surprise, when she emerged as the undisputed champion of the Africa Amateurs U2000 women’s category. She carried her podium finish to Cagliari, Italy, where she won a bronze medal at the World Amateurs U1700 category in April 2018. She sat down with Paul Kafuko, and gave him the opportunity of a lengthy interview about her chess journey to the top and her personal life.

Who is Nakabo Peninah?

You can call me Penny. I am a humble, determined and daring lady, born on 3^rd of Sept, 1992, to Mr. Sekiziyivu Sammy Jones and Mrs. Nalugo Mary Margaret Sekiziyivu of Mukono. I am a statistician with a Bachelors in Statistic honors from Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. I went to Kasawo Secondary School for A-level, St. Michael High School, Sonde, for O-Level and Satellite View Primary School for my Primary education.

What inspired you to play chess?

From way back, logic has always been dear to me, and seeing people brainstorm on the chess board was enough to get me interested. Plus, teasing my brain is a hobby and chess gives me exactly that.

Please take us through your chess journey

My first contact with chess was in December 2013, at Makerere University. I joined Kafuko John Paul, Ntende Edgar and other students who were training at Mary Stuart hall, for Inter-University Games. I was allowed to play only one single game during the competition, which I won.

In 2014, I joined Mulago Rooks Chess Club and participated in the National League, where I won a silver medal on board 5. In the same year, I played for Makerere University ladies team during the East Africa University Games, which held at Uganda Christian University, where I won a gold medal for best board one, and as a team we won the team gold.

In 2015, I participated in the National League again, and came 2nd on board 5 still representing Mulago Rooks Chess Club.

In 2016, I moved to Kireka Chess Club, where I joined Ampaire Shakira on board 5, and we contributed to the team win in the National League.

In 2017, I decided to concentrate on improving my chess. I participated in the Uganda Open Chess Championship, where I came third amongst the ladies. During the Kireka Open and Rwabushenyi Open, I put up an outstanding performance (as mentioned by many), and surprised some highly rated players and former Olympian.

In 2018, I represented Uganda at the Africa Amateur Individual Chess Championship in Zambia, where I got the title ‘Africa Amateur Woman Chess Champion 2017′ and ‘Woman Fide Master (WFM), which is still in waiting’, and along with this, came a gold medal for my first place at the event.

In April, 2018, I represented Africa and Uganda at the World Amateur Chess Championship, which took place in Cagliari, Italy, where I finished 3rd in the Women’s U1700 section and brought a world bronze medal home.

Congratulations upon those achievements. What do you mean you got the Woman FIDE Master Title, but it is still in waiting?

According to the new FIDE rules, which took effect from last year, I must attain a rating of ELO 2000, in order to claim the title.

You mentioned that in 2018, you represented Uganda at the Africa Chess Amateurs and you were crowned Africa Amateur Woman Chess Champion 2017, how is that possible?

The event was supposed to happen in 2017, but for some reason, it was rescheduled to hold in 2018.

Let’s talk about your achievement at the world Amateurs, what was your strategy going into this tournament? Did you expect a podium finish?

It was not only an expectation, but a goal. I was determined to finish in first place. My strategy was to leave that place unbeaten. Hahahaha, crazy, right? But it was a fact. Although, somewhere in the middle of the tournament I got stuck in position 4 for quite some time. I had miserably given up on the podium finish especially after losing to Irina, until the good Lord performed a miracle for me in the penultimate round. I did not turn back, but finished on a high.

In your round seven game at the world amateurs tournament, against Vilena Popova, the top seed at the event, and eventual gold medalist, apparently you let a winning chance slip through your hands, in an endgame many commentators thought was completely won (Actually one of your trainers asserted that you went through such endgames as part of your preparation for the tournament). This win would have turned the corner for you in the tournament and would have probably guaranteed you a silver medal. Please tell us what went on in that game.

Follow link here: http://chess-results.com/partieSuche.aspx?lan=1&art=4&tnr=326835&rd=7

We went through rook endgames with FM Harold Wanyama days before the world Amateurs championship, but I did not think of the Philidor position during my game with Popova. In my mind, I knew that she was lost however badly I play. Popova is such an experienced Russian girl. She was versing a Penny with no experience at all. When I was two pawns ahead, I thought it would be a clear win without any technicalities. So, I played haphazardly because I wanted her time to drop, so that she starts panicking in the most important endgame tactics. Unfortunately, she seemed to be a master of rook endgames.

By the way, I had trained for Popova with my coach IM Arthur, way before the tournament and I was determined to secure a win against her. I do not regret having drawn that game, I played really well and I take it as part of my learning experience in chess.

In your round 6 game against Hambardzumyan Irina of Armenia, you played strongly against the tournament leader’s Carokann, and by move 28, Stockfish (a chess engine) gave you a +4 advantage, because you were an exchange up with an opportunity to grab a free knight on the e4 square by playing 29. Re1 but then you pushed 29. f3, which meant you either lost your queen or get mated after black’s Rd2. What was going on through your mind?

Follow Link: http://chess-results.com/partieSuche.aspx?lan=1&art=4&tnr=326835&rd=6

That game against Irina is the worst game I ever played throughout my four-year chess career. Actually, if I could use a boda-boda back to Uganda, I would have been in Mukono shortly after that game. I just played badly when I pushed f3, I had the move Re1 on my mind but lazily pushed f3. It was Irina’s lucky day and to me it was a learning curve. Big thanks to everyone who consoled me after that game especially Mr. Mulwana, Patron, Kireka Chess Club, Eng Mwaka Emmanuel, President, Uganda Chess Federation and Mr. Ncube Lewis, President, Africa Chess Confederation. I would have died of misery.

In the last round game against Manca Maria of Italy, you scored a brilliant win saccing with 18…B×h3 and 19…B×g2, eventually mating your opponent in style. In your assessment, where did she go wrong?

Follow link below to view the game: http://chess-results.com/partieSuche.aspx?lan=1&art=4&tnr=326835&rd=9

Manca had an attack on my king side earlier in the game but she seemed naïve, and afraid of attacking. While I was busy attacking her king side, she played so many unnecessary moves in the middle game like move 15 when she played Bc2, I was expecting Bb5 to attack my knight that was protecting a pawn at e4. I believe all these moves culminated to give me the boost I needed to go all out and convert the full point.

How did you find life in Italy, and how did you cope with the change of environment?

It was obviously beautiful, I made quite a number of friends, the excitement and nice environment. I wish we played that tournament for a full year.

This is part one (1) of a three fold article on The Rise of Nakabo Peninah….. Watch out for Peninah’s domination of Africa and a few other personal details into the life and walk of Nakabo Peninah.

June 11, 2018 3 comments

Chiletso Chipanga: Malawi’s First Chess Gold Medalist

by khisho March 16, 2018

written by khisho

It is 10pm, this squad wasn’t going, 11pm, still there! 12 midnight, still not going anywhere. Now the officials of Kamuzu International Airport were beginning to wonder: “With a Malawi flag? Who could these people possibly be waiting for?” They silently went back to recheck their diaries, almost scrutinizing the name of each passenger of the coming planes, one by one, but they showed nobody important was flying in. Now 1am, as if giving a clue to the airport officials, the squad pulled out their chess boards and started blitzing on the airport restaurant tables, showing them what chess is about, speed, accuracy, tactics, strategy, etc. At 2:30am, Suddenly the man they were waiting for arrived, he descended from Nairobi Airways and they immediately left their games and started singing: “Hail Chess Gold Medalist!”, disturbing the placid atmosphere of the airport.

L to R – Ellen Mpinganjira, Jayne, Chipanga and Susan Namangale

It was a medal gallantly fought for by Malawi’s Second highest rated player, National Champion, Candidate Master, Chiletso Chipanga at the 2017 Africa Amateurs Individual Chess Championship. Being the first ever gold medal for Malawi chess, It was worthwhile giving him such a warm welcome. A welcome only reserved to politicians and music stars.

It doesn’t just happen. Chipanga says, the moment he set his foot on the historic town of Livingstone, thinking about how tiresome a road journey he had, he felt his inner energies inspiring him to aim for the ultimate result.

Unlike most of the players at the event, who were fully sponsored by their Federations, Chipanga was like the main actor, “The lover boy” in the movie “Titanic” who, when he was asked by one of the lords: “How did you find yourself in this exclusive ship?” he answered: “I won a lotto”. Of course, “Chilly”, as he is popularly known, did not win a lotto to get to Livingstone, but his presence at the event was equally miraculous, as he was only saved at the eleventh hour by some well-wishers, who kept sending money to his Airtel money account until he had enough for the trip. When he started off to Livingstone, they had not even reached 70% of the required amount. Sure, a person’s success should be measured by the obstacles they have defeated.

So, like the legendary prudent Tanzanian athlete who ran a 500 meter race alone, after he had encountered a misfortune that made it clear that he was the last at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, Chiletso made sure he played prudent moves, scoring four (4) consecutive wins in the first two (2) days, with top seeds Dhemba Jemuse, the Zimbabwe National Champion, and Zambian Leslie Chikuse being some of his casualties.

Chiletso

As they went for break at the brink of the 6th round, at the mighty Victoria Falls, a place with a beauty that is a reflection of his artistic moves, Chipanga seemed to have gotten more inspiration as he included the formidable veteran Kiddy Makwaya of Zambia as part of the scalps he claimed. He then won the next three (3) rounds to tally his points to eight (8/8), which was enough to propel him to this historic continental title.

So, when he played his last round game against Andrew Sakala of Zambia, who had much lesser points, Chipanga was not in any danger whatsoever, as it was already known he had won the event. His controversial loss to Sakala only made him tie with another Zambian, Leslie Chikuse at eight (8) points, with the head to head rule crowning him king of the Under 2300 and pocketed $1000 for his achievement, booking himself a ticket to World Amateurs Individual Chess Championship in Italy in April.

Zimbabwean Champion, Zhemba Jemuse ended in third (3rd) position with five (5) points, while Nakabo Peninah of Uganda won the ladies category after amassing seven (7) points out of nine (9).

News of Chiletso’s triumph spread like the gospel of Dr David Livingstone, the missionary after whose name the town of Livingstone was named. An inspired Malawi Chess Federation, which has waited for close to 14 years to see an athlete win the gold medal, organized a heroes welcome for him, thanks to Chessam Executive Mrs Susan Namangale who sacrificed a great deal of personal resources for it to happen.

Chiletso was made to cancel his bus ticket and book a flight to Malawi via Nairobi also efforts by Susan Namangale who partnered with CBR Tours and Travel.

After missing the flight, which was due to land at 14hrs in the afternoon, Chipanga had no option but to book a flight due to land at 2:30 AM. But still the Malawi Chess fraternity sacrificed their sleep to welcome the gold medalist and Chipanga thanked Malawians for the great support they gave him through their various social media channels.

As we went to press, the Malawi Chess Federation is organizing a cocktail this weekend for the player.

March 16, 2018 0 comments

Country Reports Individual

Tavagwisa Wins African Amateur Chess Championship, 2017

by vchimbamugmailcom March 15, 2018

written by vchimbamugmailcom

Lawrence Tavagwisa was precise in the implementation of his ideas at the African Amateurs Individual Chess Championships held in Zambia most recently. He won the under 2000 with a record score that left the highest rated player in the dark, as he failed to perform with the high expectations placed on him. The competition was very pulsating, as the two Zimbabweans left the tournament with the first and second positions of this category. Lawrence Tavagwisa and Tapiwa Chikwavaire performed beyond expectation at this tournament, as they defied odds and came out as victors who battled out the draw in their game and finished first and second respectively.

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Tavagwisa drew his only game of the tournament while playing against his compatriot Tapiwa Chikwavaire, and won the remaining eight (8) rounds to finish with a whooping 8.5 points of 9 games played. Tapiwa lost a single game against Chinapu Erick of Zambia in the sixth (6th) round and drew against the winner Lawrence Tavagwisa to finish second, a full point behind the winner and a full point ahead of third placed Erick.

Joster Kadangwe did not perform up to expectations, being the highest rated player in the section with a FIDE rating of ELO 1967, it was expected that he would give a good fight and many were expecting him to win it, but alas, he finished at a distant fifth (5th) position, four (4) points behind the winner. Manuel Pedro of Angola (ELO 1968) failed to turn up for the event, even though he had registered to participate in the event and he failed to inform the organizers of his unavailability. The summary of the performance of all the players is shown below.

2017 African Amateur Chess Championships – Open U2000

Final Ranking crosstable after 9 Rounds
Rk. Name Rtg FED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pts. TB1 TB2 TB3
1 Tavagwisa Lawrence 1892 ZIM * ½ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 + 8,5 0,0 32,75 3
2 Chikwavaire Tapiwa 1757 ZIM ½ * 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 + 7,5 0,0 26,75 4
3 Chinapu Erick 1839 ZAM 0 1 * ½ 1 1 1 1 0 + 6,5 0,0 24,25 3
4 Ndhlovu Kondwelani 1854 ZAM 0 0 ½ * 1 0 + 1 1 + 5,5 0,0 16,75 2
5 Kandangwe Joster 1967 ZAM 0 0 0 0 * 1 1 1 ½ + 4,5 0,0 11,00 0
6 Lyapa Chisha 1874 ZAM 0 0 0 1 0 * 0 1 ½ + 3,5 0,0 10,00 0
7 Lesole Pudungwane 1861 BOT 0 0 0 – 0 1 * – 1 + 3,0 0,0 6,50 0
8 Zulu Simon 0 ZAM 0 0 0 0 0 0 + * 1 + 3,0 0,0 6,00 0
9 Ngambi Victor 1828 ZAM 0 0 1 0 ½ ½ 0 0 * + 3,0 0,0 10,50 1
10 Manuel Pedro 1968 ANG – – – – – – – – – * 0,0 0,0 0,00 0
Annotation:
Tie Break1: Direct Encounter (The results of the players in the same
point group)
Tie Break2: Sonneborn-Berger-Tie-Break variable
Tie Break3: The greater number of victories (variable)

Meanwhile in the under 2300 category, Chiletso Chipanga of Malawi won the section on tie break after he was joint top with Chikuse Leslie of Zambia. They both finished with a total of eight (8) points out of nine (9) games of play. Chiletso eventually defeated Chikuse to win the category and with it the flight ticket for the trip to represent Africa in Italy at the World Amateur sometime in April, 2018.

Chiletso (2)

Zhemba Zhemusse of Zimbabwe who was the highest rated player in this section, with a rating of ELO 2125 had a bad start in the tourney but came back strongly and eventually finished third in the section, with six (6) points out of nine (9) games of play and securing a bronze medal, with lots of interestingly brilliant chess being displayed on the 64 squares by the players. The surprise comeback of veteran Kiddy Makwaya did not go so well, as he failed to match the younger generations and finished in the bottom nowhere near the top three best players.

2017 African Amateur Chess Championships – Open U2300

Final Ranking crosstable after 9 Rounds
Rk. Name Rtg FED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pts. TB1 TB2 TB3
1 Chipanga Chiletso 2053 MAW * 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 8,0 1,0 33,00 3
2 Chikuse Leslie 2094 ZAM 0 * 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8,0 0,0 29,00 4
3 Zhemba Jemusse 2125 ZIM 0 0 * 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 6,0 0,0 19,00 3
4 Malambo Engelbert 1596 ZAM 0 0 0 * ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 4,5 0,0 13,25 2
5 Mubita Mwangelwa 2000 ZAM 0 0 1 ½ * 1 0 ½ 0 1 4,0 1,0 14,75 2
6 Sakala Andrew 1997 ZAM 1 0 0 0 0 * 0 1 1 1 4,0 0,0 15,00 2
7 Bayani Kuda 2004 BOT 0 0 0 ½ 1 1 * ½ ½ – 3,5 0,0 13,25 1
8 Makwaya Kiddy 2017 ZAM 0 0 0 0 ½ 0 ½ * 1 1 3,0 1,0 7,75 1
9 Mwale Douglas 1897 ZAM 0 0 0 ½ 1 0 ½ 0 * 1 3,0 0,0 9,00 1
10 Chilufya Morgan 0 ZAM 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 * 1,0 0,0 3,50 0

March 15, 2018 0 comments

Individual

Peninah Nakabo: The Danielle in Zambia’s Den!

by Tendai Mubayiwa March 11, 2018

written by Tendai Mubayiwa

Just like in the Bible, when Daniel was thrown into the Lion’s den and came out unscathed, Nakabo Peninah with ELO 1491 FIDE rating from Uganda entered into the den of the Zambians and was untouchable on her way to victory at the African Amateur Individual Chess Championship. She voluntarily went to Zambia, precisely New Fairmount Hotel, Livingstone for African Amateur Individual Chess Championship and won the tournament with a round to spare.

Nakabo Peninah was born on the 3rd of September 1992 in Mukono, Uganda and presently resides in Kampala. She holds a B.Sc. in Business Statistics from the Makere University in 2017 and presently works at Ssuubiryo Financial Services (who are so proud of her achievement at the tournament as seen in their YouTube video below).

Her first contact with chess was in December 2013, and was taught by Kafuko John Paul and Ntende Edgar. Her biggest inspiration amongst notable chess players was and continue to be GM Judith Polgar. When asked why, she replied “Because she’s the evidence that all women have in terms of what it takes to be among the top 100 chess players in the world, if dedicated.”

Her experience travelling to the African Amateur Individual Chess Championship was superb but not without its challenges. Just imagine a player going a distance of 5000km (from Kampala, Uganda to Livingstone in Zambia by bus) to play in a tournament; to win such a tournament is not a small feat and it is deserving of a hero’s welcome and recognition. The more hectic the journey got, the more zeal she had to win the African Amateur Individual Chess Championship. She was determined and perfectly fearless, taking up the challenge with bold conviction.

She didn’t believe she had any tough opponents in the tournament, but she particularly enjoyed the games she played against Ndachipiwa Kgomotso of Botswana (who was the second foreigner in Zambia for the tournament) in round 4 and against Mwilola Phylis of Zambia in round 6, which she both lost and won respectively.

Her short term aspiration in chess is to be on Uganda’s National Olympiad team going to Georgia this year, while on the long run she wants to be the highest rated female chess player in the world with at least a Women Grandmaster Title. WGM Mona, Khaled is currently the highest rated female chess player on the continent, but Peninah wishes to overtake her and become the first female player to achieve the title of Grandmaster without the W behind it!

In the words of the one of the best players in Uganda in person of FM Harold Wanyama, when asked about her, he said; “Peninah is a talented, confident player who is not afraid to even tussle against men. I believe she will achieve much more than this and I am hoping to see her qualify for the Olympiad. She has the ingredients to be a champion”.

The tournament pairings and results can be found here.

Cheers.

March 11, 2018 6 comments

Country Reports Individual

The Journey of IM Farai Mandizha

by vchimbamugmailcom February 21, 2018

written by vchimbamugmailcom

International Master Farai Mandizha, now based in the United States of America, has had to overcome serious challenges to be where he is at the moment. Born in 1985, Farai was brought up the Mandizha way from the Mandizha home, a humble family that provided the needed encouragement to be an achiever and stand out among peers. Farai attended Mabvure secondary school, Murombedzi, before moving to Msengezi High school in Chegutu, under the guidance of the late Joseph Moyo. They both moved to the same school because of Moyo’s deep passion for chess. His passion was hugely enhanced when he moved from Msengezi high school to Prince Edward school, Harare, which had a legacy of quality chess players, coaches and have shown brilliant skills in tournament play. The school churned champions like Assad and Fysal Rhaman who were the country’s best chess players during their time as scholars. Some scholars, especially from Harare Schools Chess league, have blossomed to be the best of the best. As he captained the Prince Edward school chess team, which had players like Rodwell Makoto, Elisha Chimbamu, Preachmore Patiwako and Tendai Savanhu, they finished the whole chess league season without a defeat, scooped all the local awards during the period, as they won from St. Johns Chess festival to Hippo Valley chess festival. kotov-rnd-8

Picture: Makoto Rodwell

The team eventually produced some National Champions in IM Mandizha, Chimbamu Elisha and IM Rodwell Makoto, who all became National Champions at different stages of their chess playing careers. Their team was once coached by the late Clever Kachere, before Fide Instructor Elton Mhangarayi took charge of the team and brought so many honors and accolades to the school. This was a huge motivation to Farai Mandizha, whose thirst and passion for the game of chess was unquenchable. This also encouraged him to move from country to country in search of the Fide Titles.

Mandizha-Colas2

Picture Courtesy: http://www.thechessdrum.net

His first base for settlement was South Africa, where his game was developed and improved. Although the African Amateur Individual Chess Championship is currently not on the fide website, he triumphed at the event in 2003, and qualified for the World Amateur Individual Chess Championship, which held in Cape Town, South Africa, where he finally got his Fide Master (FM) title. This was an important achievement for the youngster at the time, as it spurred him to raise his game even more, such that he became stronger than any other player in Zimbabwe and some would say, in the whole of the Southern region at the time. Shen-Mandizha

Picture Courtesy: http://www.thechessdrum.net

Farai became so strong that in the absence of IM Gwaze Robert, who is Zimbabwe’s best player ever, on the fide rating list, he would route his opponents at ease. However there was a National Championship game in which he lost to IM Makoto, after falling for an opening preparation and losing in thirteen moves. Mandizha then took a bold step and left for the United States of America in the late 2000. He was always a very good blitz player, but he had to convert this into being a solid classical player. This made him achieve his International Master (IM) Title in the United States of America, a feat which is not easy to achieve under normal circumstances, since most African chess players achieve this feat through continental championships. He had to endure a lot on and off the board, defeating the likes of GM Hikaru Nakamura at the Foxwood Open and playing brilliantly in a star-studded field at the Philadelphia Open in 2010. He also performed very well in the New York International Open Chess Tournament, and then he scored 7.5/9 in the under 2400 section at the World Open in 2010. Also caming out 2nd at the Second Millionaire Chess Open Tournament in 2015, with a scintillating performance at the tournament, defeating three (3) Grandmasters and picking up two (2) draws against GM Zhou Jianchao and GM Chirila Ioan-Cristian, to earn his place in the U2400 Super Monday Showdown and eventually, the second place at the tournament.

Farai_Mandizha

Picture Courtesy: http://www.thechessdrum.net

This led him to achieve the International Master Title with the standard three norms and strong enough rating points, a feat which made him one of Zimbabwe’s best inspiring chess players, who has left an indelible mark on the country’s chess system. Ndizhov, as he is popularly known by Zimbabweans, has been on a smooth sailing drive, as he has continued to perform better and better at each National outing that he takes part in. The Olympiads in Tromso, Norway, Istanbul, Turkey and Baku in Azerbaijan, has made him a darling to the chess fans as he played some of the most interesting games at these tournaments, probably taking a cue from the 2002 Gold medalist IM Robert Gwaze, who won the medal ahead of Grandmaster Garry Kasparov and gave Africa another reason to rejoice at an Olympiad. This seemed to have paved the way for the players like Mandizha and IM Rodwell Makoto.

Farai-Mandizha-Zimbawe

Picture Courtesy: https://hunonchess.com/chess-olympiad-photos/

In His many accomplishments, Farai performed brilliantly at the 2017 World Open Chess Championship, earning himself a second Grand Master Norm, after finishing with 6/9 at the tournament with a performance of 4.5/7 (+3=3-1) against Grandmasters. This meant that he won three games, drew three games and lost only one game against the GMs. Ndizhov hopes to be Zimbabwe’s first Grandmaster and to be only the third Sub-Saharan Grandmaster after Amon Simutowe of Zambia and Kenny Solomon of South Africa who are the only Southern African Grand Masters at the moment.

https://chess-db.com/public/game.jsp?id=11000430.24107131.163100672.29712

IM Farai Mandizha vs. GM Andrey Stukopin

The New York based Zimbabwean International Master has the sky as the stepping stone to the universe, which seems to be the limit at the moment, with his case that of which shows that chess has no boundary, and backgrounds rarely matter, as he came from a simple family to become what he is right now.

Coming from a rural set up school community, Farai rose above the tide and became an epitome of success as well as an example to all the scholars, that chess can get you to the top in any given field. He showed that hard work pays and there is nowhere in this life, where success just comes when a person is asleep. His is an example of a hardworking chess player who is almost at the crescendo of his chess career. Certainly, there is more to come for the husband of Respina, the chess trainer in America, as well as an active chess player. wedding-photography-johannesburg_0027-e1487532072339

Picture Courtesy: www.mctana.co.zw

The writer believes that if given the opportunity and the time to show forth his talent, Zimbabwe can have a Grandmaster in Farai Mandizha latest by two years from now.

Special thanks goes to the late Joseph Moyo who identified this talent in the thicket of Mabvure, identifying a National team player, a National Champion, an international player of repute, takes spiritual understanding and a visionary to spot. I hope he also churns out players of Farai’s caliber in the not too distant future, considering his acumen and experience as a chess player and trainer. Currently, Mandizha is the highest rated active Zimbabwean player, with a rating of ELO 2406, followed by IM Rodwell Makoto who currently sits at ELO 2349.

Featured Image Courtesy: David Llada

February 21, 2018 6 comments