ZIM FAILS TO MAKE IT TO THE PODIUM AT YOUTH CHAMPS

Tendai Chara

Zimpapers Sports Hub

ZIMBABWEAN athletes failed to make it for the podium at the African Youth Chess Championships, which were held from May 14 to May 23 in Uganda.

Benson Magomo, head of the 25-member Zimbabwean delegation, pointed to fatigue as the main reason the team could not achieve a top-three finish.

Magomo noted that the team’s overall performance still showed improvement, saying the experience was not entirely negative.

“The positive thing is that we performed better than last year,” Magomo said.

He said one of the biggest challenges for Zimbabwe’s players was that they are not used to playing chess over long periods.

In Zimbabwe, most tournaments are shorter — typically ranging from one to four days — meaning players often do not develop the mental endurance required for longer competitions.

“Our players are not used to playing chess over long periods.

“Here in Zimbabwe, we have tournaments that stretches from one to four days and our players struggled to play in this nine-day event,” Magomo said.

He suggested that the length of the championships in Uganda contributed to a gradual decline in performance as the days progressed, affecting the players’ focus and ability to maintain consistent decision-making.

Magomo recommended two key solutions to prepare youth players for such events.

Firstly, he called for the introduction of longer chess championships within Zimbabwe or locally, so players can gradually adjust to extended competition schedules.

Secondly, he emphasised the need for reconditioning — training that specifically helps players adapt to maintaining high-level chess performance over many days.

This approach, Magomo argued, would ensure future teams are better prepared for international events where competitions often last well beyond a standard weekend tournament.

Without sufficient financial support, it becomes difficult to organise extended national competitions, prepare training structures, or provide the necessary resources that would help players transition from short events to long, demanding tournaments.

Zimbabwe’s youth team may have missed the podium in Uganda, but the delegation sees the event as a learning opportunity.