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Takudzwa Chitsiga
Sports Reporter
THE best of Zimbabwe’s chess players are set to converge in Harare for the annual Steward Bank Easter Open Chess Tournament this afternoon.
The tournament draws players from across the country with Defending champion and national team player Spencer Masango, former national champion Jemusse Zhemba, Roy Mwadzura and Emerald Mushore are expected to battle it out. The women’s section will have top players like Kudzanayi Charinda, Linda Shaba, Refiloe Mudodo, Tatenda Zengeni and Colletta Wakuruwarewa among others.
The only big name expected to miss this showdown is Christine Makwena who will be hunting in the Serengeti at the 2023 Kenya Open.
Steward Bank have come on board to partner Zimbabwe Chess Federation after the bank poured in $5 million.
The tournament will run until Easter Monday.
Steward Bank are the latest financial institution to partner ZCF in the efforts of reviving and promoting the game, after CABS and CBZ.
The traditional Easter Open has for over three decades been played over the Easter holidays and draws competitors from all over the country as well as regional players within the SADC region.
The competition will feature three Categories, the Open Section, the Ladies Section and the Development Under-16 with a maximum of 120 participants across the three categories.
Chess Masters and amateurs alike from all corners are expected to converge in Harare for the Easter Open title.
This is the first Open over-the-board national chess competition in 2023 and lots of surprises are expected.
Zimbabwe Chess Federation president Muchakanakirwa Mkanganwi expressed gratitude to Steward Bank for extending a hand in supporting chess with an initial sponsorship of $5 million.
“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,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter