Hellenic, Convent crowned chess champs

Takudzwa Chitsiga

Sports Reporter

HELLENIC Academy and Dominican Convent Harare were crowned the 2024 Lomagundi College Invitational Chess tournament champions on Saturday.

The Hellenic Academy team managed to take the crown in the boys’ senior category after defending champions Kutama missed this year’s tournament.

Hellenic Academy were ahead of last year’s runners-up ZRP High, who came second, and Riverdale of Bulawayo who came third.

The senior girl’s team saw powerhouse Dominican Convent (Harare) crowned gold medalists after they finished ahead of Goldridge and ZRP High. Dominican Convent, who also won a title in Namibia recently, showed their intent as they also won the juniors section beating Arundel and Kyle College of Masvingo to second and third place respectively. The junior boys’ category was won by Kyle College as Hellenic Academy were second while ZRP High was third.

The tournament organiser and district arbiter, Maurice Mutowembwa said he was happy with the tournament and looks forward to a bigger and better event next year.

“We are very grateful to all those who has helped to see the tournament successful. I am thankful to all those, who have come on board to support us. “After we introduced the tournament in 2022, the Lomagundi Invitational Chess tournament has grown with several private and government schools taking part and it is a plus to the sport which is set to be introduced to the school curriculum.

“After the first two editions held last year and in 2022, we had a big and better tournament this year. The festival gives opportunities to school students with the senior teams comprising of form four up to form six students and the junior team will be from primary level up to form three students.

“We are grateful to our sponsors, Smilex Tissues and Tawford Investments, who have been so supportive,” said Mutowembwa.

The Lomagundi Invitational Schools Chess tournament is the biggest schools’ chess tournament in the country with more than 40 school teams turning up at the Robin Smith Hall.