Online Reporter
Tendai Chara-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe men and women senior chess teams left Harare on Saturday for Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where they are set to take part in the FIDE Chess Olympiad.
The Olympiad, one of the world’s largest team chess competitions, will be held from September 16 to 27. Players will compete in the Open and Women’s sections over 11 rounds under the Swiss system.
The team will join Zimbabwean players already in Uzbekistan, who are competing in the FIDE World Olympiad for People with Disabilities.
Tapiwa Gora, Tichaona Machona, Presence Murove, Shantel Gweshe and Tapiwa Mvududu will represent the country in the global team event, which brings together chess players with visual, hearing and physical impairments from around the world.
The senior open team, captained by Kudakwashe Sibanda, is a mix of experience and youthful energy. The experienced players include Tapiwa Jele, Roy Mapuranga and Madzura, Emarald Mushore, Vitalis Mapuranga and Terrence Mureya.
The senior women’s team is made up predominantly of young players. At 14, Tehila Makwiranzou is the youngest player in the senior team, while 16-year-old Carol Ndlovu is also part of the travelling squad. Makwiranzou, who is based in Bulawayo, says she refused to be intimidated by age.
“At first I thought since I was young, I was going to be the weakest link in the team.
“I am now confident that despite the age, I am going to give my all and surprise older, experienced players,” Makwiranzou said.
Ndlovu echoed the same message, warning experienced players from across the world against underestimating her.
“I might be young but as they say, age is nothing but just a number.
“The times are changing, we now have grand masters who are as young as 12,” Ndlovu, who hails from the resort town of Victoria Falls, said.
Among the more experienced women in the squad are Christine Makwena, Kudzanayi Charinda, Nomalungelo Mathe and Tafadzwa Shanya Mullio, who is also the team captain.
Sibanda, who doubles as the team coach and head of delegation, is confident the team can win medals.
“We have experienced players who have been at the Olympiad before.
Part of the team has young and very hungry players who are seeking to cause upsets,” Sibanda said.
“With this kind of team, we are sure we can win medals.”
