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Takudzwa Chitsiga
Sports Reporter
INTERNATIONAL Chess Master Rodwell Makoto is set to leave for Baku, Azerbaijan, today for the hugely-anticipated 2023 Chess World Cup.
The tournament is set to begin this Saturday and ends on August 24.
Makoto earned his ticket during the CBZ Chess World Cup Qualifier held at Joina City from January 13 to 16.
The tournament, which was sponsored by financial giants CBZ, saw Makoto winning in dominant fashion.
The Zimbabwe Chess Federation confirmed Makoto’s World Cup adventure.
The 2023 FIDE World Cup is his second World Cup appearance in a row, following his participation at the 2021 edition in Sochi, Russia, where he was defeated by Grandmaster Vladislav Kovalev.
However, ZCF remains confident that Makoto’s skills and experience will be handy this time around.
“We are determined to see Makoto surpassing all expectations and pave his way through the first round of this prestigious tournament.
“He is no stranger to challenges, and he will face a formidable opposition in Azerbaijan number six Grandmaster Abasov Nijat, who boasts a substantial FIDE Elo rating difference.
“Makoto’s participation symbolises the rise of Zimbabwean chess on the global stage since the country was one of the top African performers at the 44th World Chess Olympiad held in Chennai, India in 2022.
“He isn’t alone in representing Southern Africa as a group of talented individuals, including International Master Daniel Cawdery from South Africa and International Master Chitumbo Mwali from Zambia, IM Buekes Dantes from Namibia, will also showcase their savviness in the championship,” said the ZCF in a statement.
Online Reporter