Fatigue costs Zim at African Youth Chess tourney

ZIMBABWE failed to secure a podium finish at the African Youth Chess Championships held in Uganda from May 14 to May 23.

Following the conclusion of the nine-day event, Benson Magomo, head of the 25-member Zimbabwean delegation, identified fatigue as the primary factor behind the team’s inability to finish among the top three.

While Zimbabwe did not reach the podium, Magomo said the team’s overall performance reflected improvement, noting that the experience was not entirely negative.

“The positive thing is that we performed better than last year,” Magomo said, indicating steady progress by Zimbabwe’s youth players despite the setback.

Magomo said that one of the major challenges faced by the players was a lack of exposure to long-duration competitions. In Zimbabwe, most chess tournaments are shorter — typically lasting between one and four days — meaning players often do not develop the mental endurance required for extended events.

“Our players are not used to playing chess over long periods. Here in Zimbabwe, we have tournaments that stretches from one to four days and our players struggled to play in this nine-day event,” Magomo said.

He said the length of the championships in Uganda likely contributed to a gradual decline in performance as the competition progressed, affecting the players’ concentration, stamina and ability to maintain consistent decision-making.

In response to the experience, Magomo proposed two key measures to better prepare youth players for such events.

Firstly, he called for the introduction of longer chess championships locally, to enable players to gradually adapt to extended competition schedules. Secondly, he emphasised the need for reconditioning —training programmes specifically designed to help players build endurance and sustain high-level performance over prolonged periods.

Such an approach, Magomo argued, would ensure that future teams are better equipped for international competitions, which often extend well beyond the duration of standard weekend tournaments.

Despite these recommendations, Magomo raised concern over limited funding, describing it as a significant obstacle to introducing longer championships and reconditioning programmes.

Without adequate financial support, organising extended national competitions, establishing structured training programmes and providing the necessary resources for players’ development remain a challenge.

Zimbabwe’s youth team may have missed out on a podium finish in Uganda, but the delegation views the tournament as a valuable learning experience.

With improved results compared to last year, the country now has a clearer pathway for progress: building endurance for long-format chess through expanded local competitions and better-prepared players — provided funding constraints can be addressed.