Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe Chess Federation have set February 20 to 22 as the dates for the 2026 Zimbabwe Open Cadets and Youth Chess Championships.
The three-day tournament will double as a national selection trial for several major international events later in the year.
The championships will be staged at Dominican Convent High School in Harare.
It will bring together players across all under-18 age groups, drawing school-based competitors from every province.
The event returns to the calendar at a time when Zimbabwe is trying to rebuild depth at junior level after limited international exposure in recent seasons.
Results from the Harare tournament will determine Zimbabwe’s representatives for the Africa Youth Chess Championships in Uganda in May, the FIDE World Youth Chess Championships in Italy in June, and the FIDE Cadet World Chess Championships scheduled for November in Batumi, Georgia.
Selection across these events will be based on final standings within the respective age categories.
The federation said the Cadet and Youth Championships remain its primary pipeline for identifying international prospects, particularly among school-going players who form the backbone of organised chess in the country.
In recent years, Zimbabwe has leaned heavily on school competitions to sustain participation as funding for open tournaments has tightened.
Zimbabwe Chess Federation president Todd Mapingire said the February event would be a decisive moment for young players with international ambitions.
“We want the best players on board, nothing else,” Mapingire said.
“If you want to wear the Zimbabwe colours, this is where you earn it. The door is open, but the results must speak.
“This tournament tells us where we really are as a country at junior level.
“You see who can handle pressure, who can calculate, and who is ready for international chess.
“That information matters for the next few years, not just this season.”
