Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga
Online Writer
Zimbabwe’s national chess team returned with strong performances from the 2026 African Individual Chess Championships after FIDE Master Roy Mwadzura produced one of the tournament’s biggest upsets while Tanaka Dziyanzi secured a joint fourth-place finish in the women’s competition.
The continental championships were held in Jwaneng, Botswana.
Mwadzura enjoyed an impressive debut at the prestigious tournament, collecting five points from nine rounds and gaining 14 Elo rating points.
His standout result came in the second round when he defeated reigning Africa Zone 4.5 champion International Master Andrew Kayonde of Zambia despite being rated 124 Elo points lower.
The Zimbabwean also drew against Namibia’s IM Dante Beukes before suffering defeats to seven-time African champion Grandmaster Bassem Amin of Egypt, Angola’s IM David Silva and South Africa’s IM Caleb Levitan.
He recovered with victories over Sudan’s Khtab Khamal and Mozambique’s Andrade Ivan to finish with a respectable five points.
Mwadzura capped his campaign with another outstanding performance in the Blitz competition, finishing sixth with six points from nine rounds.
His victories included a notable win over Egyptian Grandmaster Bassem Amin, underlining his growing reputation on the continental stage.
In the women’s section, Zimbabwe number one Tanaka Dziyanzi finished joint fourth after scoring 5.5 points from nine games.
She registered five victories and one draw, recovering strongly from two defeats to close the tournament with a final-round win over Kenya’s WFM Elizabeth Cassidy Maina.
National ladies champion Christine Makwena endured a difficult tournament by her own standards but still managed 4.5 points from nine rounds after winning three games and drawing three others.
Zimbabwe Chess Federation National Teams and Technical Director Kudakwashe Sibanda hailed the trio’s performances, saying they had represented the country with distinction against Africa’s strongest players.
“We are incredibly proud of Roy, Christine and Tanaka for their outstanding representation at the African Individual Chess Championships.
“Roy’s victory over a reigning zonal champion and his rating gain demonstrate his quality, while Tanaka’s resilience and strong finish show her tremendous potential. Christine also showed great determination despite facing a challenging tournament,” said Sibanda.
The Open title was won by Algeria’s Grandmaster Bilel Bellacene on 7.5 points after edging Egypt’s Grandmaster Bassem Amin on tie-break, while South Africa’s FM Banele Mhango finished third with 6.5 points.
