Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TAPIWA Jele and Tatenda Ndou were crowned the 2026 Zimbabwe Easter Chess Championship champions at Flamboyant Hotel in Masvingo over the Easter holidays.
The win saw the duo qualifying for next year’s national chess finals.
Jele, a former national champion, managed to outclass several other top chess players who had converged in Masvingo for the tournament.
Ndou also fought her way to victory in the women’s field.
After sharing the lead with William Maulani on seven points going into the final round, Jele went on to finish on eight points at the close of the finals.
Emarald Mushore finished third on seven points as Kenneth Rucaka was fourth.
Hearth Darare and Kudakwashe Sibanda completed the top six.
In the women’s section Ndou wrapped-up the title with a steady, controlled campaign as she managed to beat Merrylene Zivanomoyo into second place. Zivanomoyo, playing on home ground in Masvingo, managed to finish on the same number of points 5,5 as Ndou but was counted out. The Masvingo-based Zivanomoyo utilised home advantage to get ahead of seasoned Linda Shaba who took third place after a strong showing of her own.
Shaba finished the tournament on five points as Sally Murwira, Florence Amos and Loveness Zivanomoyo completed the top six.
Ndou said she was happy with the win and looks forward to winning more tournaments.
“This win was really emotional for me because it’s my first time to win a major tournament of which I’ve been playing chess for almost a decade now.
“I’ve been struggling in the past tournaments, especially the last one before Easter Open, where I lost five games in a row, an experience I’ve never had.
“At some point I thought of quitting, but I just kept on fighting and I was having everything on my way, losing a single game and I drew one game.
“It wasn’t easy as I almost lost my last game, which was very crucial for me. I just kept on having this feeling that I could turn things around if I kept on fighting, which I did.
“Going forward, I’m going to win more tournaments,” said Ndou.
Zimbabwe Chess Federation president Todd Mapingire said he is happy that they had a good turn-out and the tournament went on well.
“We are we happy that we successfully hosted the Zimbabwe Easter Chess championships which had a huge turnout. The tournament went on well and according to plan,” said Mapingire.
Bongani Ndlovu