Christine Makwena shines in Zambia

Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE national women’s chess team player, Christine Makwena put up a brilliant performance on the board during the 2023 Zambia Women’s Chess Championship which saw her finish in second position.

In the prestigious chess event held at Lusaka Fairview Hotel in Zambia’s capital city, Makwena scored 6,5 points from a possible eight to be number two in a tournament she started as a fifth seed. The tournament ended on Sunday.

The Zimbabwean star player scored six brilliant wins, one draw and one defeat to earn herself a silver medal in a tournament dominated by Zambia’s top female players. The loss came against Zambian Women Candidate Master (WCM), Bertha Phiri in the penultimate round as she was headed for glory.

Despite the defeat against Phiri, Makwena managed to bounce back and convincingly won against the tournament’s eventual champion and top seed, Women International Chess Federation (FIDE) Master, Constance Mbatha. She earned 32,6 Elo Rating points which will be a big boost to her international rating.

Makwena was not the only Zimbabwean who took part in the tournament as there were two others. Sally Murairwa, a player and International Arbiter (IA) Simbarashe Murimi also took part in the event. Murimi was the tournament’s deputy chief arbiter while Murairwa was playing her first international tournament outside the country.

Murairwa had a perfect start to the championship, scoring four out of five points in the first five rounds before she fell off in the final rounds, losing her last three rounds to finish on four points out of a possible eight. She got 44,4 Elo Rating points.

For her brilliant performance in the event, Makwena won prize money (undisclosed), a medal and a trophy.

“The tournament was tough and you can imagine fighting in a pool with top Zambian players. Nevertheless, I fought bravely and well, I was on the verge of winning the tournament only to lose to WCM Phiri Bertha in the penultimate round. I am very happy,” said Makwena.

In a statement, Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) president, Muchakanakirwa Mkanganwi was impressed by Makwena’s brilliant performance in Zambia stating that she has set the bar high for junior players to emulate which is good for the sport in the country. — @brandon_malvin