Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZAMBIAN Justin Langa says the Minerva Chess Open has raised the bar in terms of competition.
Langa and Zimbabwe’s Linda Shaba were crowned the 2025 Minerva Chess Open Tournament men’s and women’s champions at a four-day competition that ended Sunday.
Langa, an International Master, managed to accumulate 7,5 points to pocket US$1 500 and was ahead of Zimbabwe’s Spencer Masango.
“I am very grateful to the Zimbabwe Chess Federation and all their sponsors after I last visited Zimbabwe some few months back and this was my second tournament here,” he said.
“I had some tough games as the level of competition has improved immensely. There is great improvement and I hope it is also going to reflect on the ratings.
“I was very happy after coming out victorious in most of my games as Masango, who is also an International Master, gave me a good run.”
The Zambian, who was playing in his second tournament in the country after also taking part in the JR Mawere Ches tournament in Kwekwe earlier this year, said he was happy to have won the tournament which was very competitive.
On the other hand, Shaba said she was happy to lift the women’s title ahead of former three-time champion Kudzanayi Charinda.
“I am very happy with my performance over the past four days. I am glad that I managed to win as the competition was very tough. There is great improvement in the sport as women representative numbers have improved a lot. My wish is to have the sport get more female participants,” said Shaba
Charinda won the first three editions and lost out last year to Rafiloe Madondo, before coming up runner-up this year.
Bulawayo based Tapiwa Jele was third while Dion Moyo has been away from local tournaments.
Roy Mwadzura, Castro Sibanda and Zambian Michael Kawome completed the top six.
ZCF have this year introduced B section and the corporate sections. Solomon Chimuzura was crowned the corporate sector champion while Tawanda Moyo from Masvingo won the B Division title.
Online Reporter