Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MORE than 500 chess players are expected in Zimbabwe for the Africa Youth Chess Championships (AYCC) scheduled for early next month in Harare.
Chess prodigies from across the continent will battle it out for the top honours in the Under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18.
The tournament is scheduled for December 6 to 14.
Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) president said preparations to host the continental chess showcase were at an advanced stage with many countries having already registered for the tournament ahead of registration deadline on Friday.
“The preparations are running concurrently with the registration for the tournament.
“As of now we have more than 500 participants that have registered for the tournament from 15 countries and we are expecting the numbers to rise as we draw closer to registration deadline,” said Mapingire.
Mapingire described the hosting of the ACYC tournament as major milestone for the sport and is perfect opportunity to market Zimbabwe as safe destination.
“We are honoured and proud to have been entrusted with hosting the 2025 Africa Youth Chess Championship and we are expecting more 1500 participants from different African countries.
“Hosting the ACYC is major milestone for Zimbabwe chess and its testament of the confidence of our organisational structure to host a big tournament of this magnitude and this is an opportunity for us to market Zimbabwe and embrace the Visit Zimbabwe campaign which is being championed by the government,” said Mapingire.
