Chess sensation Mushonga back from Greece

YOUNG chess ace, Babongile Mushonga has returned home from Greece where she was participating at the 2023 International Chess Federation (FIDE) World School Chess Championships.

The 10-year-old sensation touched down at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo on Sunday. The Coghlan Primary School pupil played nine matches in the Southeast European nation.

From the nine matches, she won three of her games, lost three as well and the other three were given to her opponents when she failed to get to the venue in time and lost by default. She was one of the youngest participants in the championship and flew the Zimbabwean flag high despite facing sponsorship challenges.

On her arrival, she was welcomed by her mother who couldn’t travel with her after failing to raise enough money for her ticket. The Schools Chess Championship is the biggest world chess competition for school going children and Mushonga, who started playing chess at the age of six is the leading Under-12 girls’ player in the country.

Mushonga’s first chess competition was in 2018 when she was in Early Childhood Development (ECD) B at Coghlan Primary School where she competed at the Bulawayo Polytechnic and won a bronze medal and a certificate. Her second tournament was at Founders High School the following year where she scooped another bronze.

Last year, the youngster joined Victoria Falls-based Ally Chess Academy and she has been participating in major tournaments. She played at National University of Science and Technology (Nust) and won a gold medal. She is a four-time gold medalist in the girls Under-12 category.

Participating at the event provided the young sensation with an opportunity to gain experience and exposure. — @brandon_malvin