Online Reporter
Tendai Chara
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MERCY MUSHANGWE, the head of delegation of the Zimbabwe chess team, which competed at the just-ended World cadets in Kazakhstan, has described the elite tournament as a learning experience.
The tournament, which attracted chess players from 87 countries, was held from September 20 up until October 1.
Zimbabwe was represented by Jemimah Masarira, Natalie Ruvarashe Ndoro, Princess Eleanor Ncube, Atida Mukono and Abdiel Timukudzeshe Mtakiwa.
Mushangwe was impressed by the young players’ attitude during the tournament.
“It was a well-deserved learning experience. I was also impressed by the players’ zeal, determination and eagerness to learn,” Mushangwe said.
“The kids learned a lot of lessons, among them strategic thinking and problem solving.”
“They also learned how to plan ahead, how to weigh alternatives and how to anticipate consequences.”
Remembering patterns, positions, and strategies and how to quickly make decisions under pressure were some of the things that the youngsters were exposed to.
Princess Eleanor Ncube of Mother Touch International School finished off with four points with wins against Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Maldives.
She drew with opponents Luxembourg and Slovakia
Natalie Ndoro of Budiriro 4 Primary School also got the same number of points after winning against Latvia, Estonia, Botswana and Kenya.
Haig Park Primary School’s Atida Mukono also garnered four points after winning against Korea, Montenegro, Kazakhstan and drawing with players from Qatar and Kazakhstan
Jemimah Masarira of Southern Cross Primary School managed three and a half points, winning against South Africa and Belgium, before drawing with an opponent from the host country.
Eight year-old Abdiel Mtakiwa of Sally Mugabe Heights, ended up with three and a half points.
“For some of my players, it was their first time to be outside Zimbabwe. I was pleasantly surprised by their composure. They actually played very well.”
She also described the World Cadets as a tough tournament.
“No-one was guaranteed success. Even titled players struggled to keep up on the top boards.”
“Countries brought their best players.”
