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Takudzwa Chitsiga
Sports Reporter
JEMUSE Zhemba and Roy Mwadzura were the biggest winners at the JR Mawere Individual Open Chess Tournament held at Kwekwe High School on Sunday.
The three-day tournament also saw Christine Makwena winning the women’s open title.
For their efforts, Zhemba and Mwadzura each walked home US$400 richer as Makwena received US$350 for her efforts.
Zhemba was excited about the win and is now targeting more tournaments.
“I am happy with the win; it was very competitive. I managed to get some positive results against some top players and I am happy as there were FIDE rating points in the tournament. “Winning such tournaments helps me to get selected to represent the country in the future,” said Zhemba.
The fourth edition of the JR Mawere tournament was sponsored by the Mawere family.
Rafiloe Mudodo was second on seven points and Linda Shaba was third also on seven points.
Tatenda Ndou and Isabel Masawi completed the women’s top five standings.
The men’s section saw Spencer Masango in third place on seven points.
Donald Mbondo and Mugove Muririma were fourth and fifth respectively.
Best over 40 was won by Bismark Bobhojani, with Lynn Chidanhire from Queens of Chivhu winning the best under-14. Fortune Mpofu of Kwekwe was crowned the best under-16 player.
The best under-20 was won by Simbarashe Chikoya of Harare.
JR Mawere Memorial Chess tournament is in honour of the late former Kwekwe mayor and town clerk, Johnson Rex Mawere who was an ardent chess player.
Tournament organiser Itayi Madicha said they were happy that the event went well and were looking forward to continuing holding the tournament in the near future.
“We are grateful that we managed to hold the fourth edition of the JR Mawere Invitational Open chess tournament at Kwekwe High where there was a huge turnout.
“The tournament targets chess players from all the provinces to promote the sport and also remember an icon who was willing to give back to the community,” said Madicha.
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