Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE fifth edition of the Minerva Zimbabwe Open Chess Championship, set to start tomorrow and ending Saturday at Joina City in the capital, is another great milestone for the game.
The tournament is now a fixture on the regional chess calendar, attracting players from across the continent.
More than 200 chess players are expected to converge in the capital for the four-day chess tournament.
Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) president Todd Mapingire, has praised Minerva for supporting the tournament and chess in the country.
“With Minerva’s generous support, we are able to create opportunities for all players, regardless of their circumstances,” Mapingire said.
“This tournament serves as a testament to the unifying nature of chess and its ability to inspire hope and resilience.”
Tafadzwa Marichama, the tournament liaison, spoke about the tournament’s growth.
“The Zim Open has grown tremendously over the past five years and this year promises to be our most exciting yet,” Marichama said.
“We are thrilled to have Minerva Risk Advisors on board, enriching the chess landscape in Zimbabwe and beyond.”
The championship will be held at two different venues to accommodate its various sections. The main events, including the Open, Ladies, and Corporate sections, will be contested at Joina City in Harare.
Meanwhile, the development section for under-16 players will take place at Dominican Convent School in Harare.
The same sponsors also stepped up as a key sponsor for the Correctional Service chess teams.
The sponsors first made waves in the chess community by donating chess sets to all 43 correctional prison centres across Zimbabwe.
This initiative aims to provide inmates with a creative outlet, fostering an environment of relaxation and inclusivity.
By enabling competitions that bridge the gap between those inside and outside the prison system, Minerva is championing social change through the timeless game of chess.
Last year winners Rafiloe Madondo and Roy Mwadzura will be defending their titles.
