adminPatrick Mushunje, Sports reporter
The Bulawayo Chess Association (BCA) will today host the Chess Easter Open at the National University of Science and Technology.
Primary, secondary, tertiary level students and every other chess players will be given a chance to play against each other and test their competitive level ahead of a busy chess season.
Elvis Shora, the Chess Association chairman said the intention of the chess tournament is to improve the chess standards in Bulawayo while also celebrating the Easter festival through sport.
“As per tradition, we have decided to celebrate the Easter festive season by organising a chess tournament, as the Bulawayo Chess Association, we are determined to improve chess all over Bulawayo and the Easter Open is going to be one of a kind, massive turn out is expected,” he said.
The Easter Open comes as a blessing to the tertiary students based in Bulawayo, as it will help them prepare for the Zimbabwe University Sports Association (Zusa) chess championships to be hosted by the university from 13 to 15 April.
Arnold Kuveya, the Lupane State University chess captain said the tournament will accord them a chance to assess their readiness for the Zusa games.
“We thank the Bulawayo Chess Association for organising the Easter Open because the tournament will help us in preparations for the Zusa chess tournament to be played next week at Nust. The rating system used at the BCA on our players will help us in determining our board setup and the most important part is that it will give most of our players who lack tournament experience some exposure,” he said.
Last year’s winner in the senior category Sifiso Ncube will not be competing this year as he is out of the country. A lot of prizes are up for grabs and these include certificates, chess boards and cash prizes.
Online Reporter