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Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Chess Federation (ZCF) have partnered with Steward Bank for the 2023 annual Easter Open Chess Tournament which is one of the key tournaments in the country.
The championship is set to run from April 7-10 at Joina City in Harare and this year’s edition will be termed the Steward Bank Easter Open Chess Tournament. The financial institution is
Steward Bank have become the latest financial institution to partner with the ZCF in its efforts to revive and promote the royal game of chess after CBZ and CABS.
For over three decades, the traditional Easter Open has been played during the particular holiday and is set to attract players from all over the country and as well as international players within the Southern African region.
Steward Bank supported the tournament with an initial sponsorship of ZWL$5 million.
“Zimbabwe Chess Federation is excited for the growth and support chess continues to receive from the corporate sector. Steward Bank is the latest financial institution after CABS and CBZ to come forward in supporting this lovely sport. Chess in Zimbabwe is slowly rising and we are certain our key tournament budgets will soon match those of countries like Kenya which has a total budget of US$42 000, a tournament which has attracted the international community. We are challenged by such heights and we believe we will also get there,” read a statement from ZCF.
Three categories are set to feature in the tournament, the open section, women’s section and the development section (Under-16) with a maximum of 120 participants expected to take part across the three categories.
This will be the first major open over-the-board national chess event of the year and ZCF is expecting tough competition from the players as many would be itching to begin the year on a high note and also banking on the preparation and training done from last year.
Top players are expected to grace the event and some of the players in the men’s side include the defending champion and national team player Spencer Masango, former national team champion Jemusse Zhemba, Roy Mwadzura and Emerald Mushore among others.
In the women’s side, the players that are expected to fight for the top honours are Kudzanayi Charinda, Linda Shaba, Refiloe Mudodo, Tatenda Zengeni and Colletta Wakuruwarewa. However, Christine Makwena is likely to miss out as she will be participating at the 2023 Kenya Open.
ZCF President Muchakanakirwa Mkanganwi expressed gratitude to Steward Bank for extending a hand in supporting chess. He stated that chess is in critical need of such support, especially in the background of the Covid-19 pandemic — @brandon_malvin
Online Reporter