adminJillian Shava Sports Reporter
PROFESSIONAL and amateur chess players from around the country and Zambia are set to converge at the Regency Flamboyant Hotel in Masvingo for the annual chess tournament on Saturday and Sunday. The Masvingo Grand Prix is being organised by the Zimbabwe Chess Federation as part of tournaments they run in the country’s five major cities every year.
Bulawayo’s top 20 players are expected to take part in the tournament, although only half of them had registered by yesterday.
Bulawayo Chess Association (BCA) public relations director Russel Dzete said the provincial men and women’s champions Kudakwashe Sibanda and Nomalanga Mathe respectively, national team player Castro Sibanda as well as Moses Mutipforo, who finished in the top 10 at the Gweru Grand Prix, would be part of the Matabeleland contingent.
“Bulawayo has always performed well at these tournaments and I believe the individuals going for the event are experienced players that are capable of adding individual flair and brilliance to make the game more interesting,” said Dzete.
He said Bulawayo would be banking on Castro and Kudakwashe Sibanda.
“We will be looking up to the two Sibandas to bring home the title.
“They’re great chess players and have been excellent in all the tournaments they have played in so far. I believe that with a bit of luck, they can win the event for Bulawayo,” Dzete said.
Castro Sibanda said: “I’ve been training hard and I’m hoping for positive results. I will be playing against tough players, but I believe in myself to push and emerge tops.”
Online Reporter