Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MORE than 500 junior chess players are expected in Harare later this month to fight for the 2025 World Cadets Chess Championships qualification.
The final is set for Kazakhstan.
As part of selection criteria, the Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) are hosting the Zimbabwe Cadet Chess Championship Open for the junior chess players on June 20.
The Zimbabwe Cadet Open will be hosted by Haig Park Primary School, where children from the under-8, Under-10 and Under-12 categories will participate.
The Zimbabwe National Cadet Team will comprise six players with a representative of one player in each category from the Under-8, Under-10 and Under-12 boys’ and girls’ sections.
Tournament director Mercy Mushangwe revealed that the local chess motherboard was ready for the tournament.
“I can confirm that the ZCF will from June 20 to 22 host the Zimbabwe Cadet Chess Championship Open which will act as a qualifier for the World Cadets Chess Championships to be held in Kazakhstan in September,” said Mushangwe.
With more than 500 junior chess players set to battle it out, Mushangwe believes that winners will have what it takes to compete at the World Championships.
“Looking at the numbers we are expecting at the Zimbabwe Cadet Chess Open Championship, we are confident that the winners will go and fly the flag high,” she said.
She revealed that the players that will be selected from the qualifiers will undergo a camp to acclimatise.
“Funds permitting, we look forward to host a boot camp for our representatives and this will help to fine-tune their skills by preparing them under the same tournament conditions in Kazakhstan as well as gearing them to be ambassadors of our nation,” said Mushangwe.
Bongani Ndlovu