Online Reporter
Tendai Chara
SHEPHERD Kukudzarema, who recently clinched the Minerva Open Chess Championship and pocketed US$1 500 in prize money, now finds himself facing a different challenge.
Following his triumph, Kukudzarema, who was born in Bulawayo and raised in Mutare, earned selection to Zimbabwe’s Chess Olympiad team for the FIDE Chess Olympiad scheduled for Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 15 to 28. Zimbabwe Chess Federation president Todd Mapingire is eager to ensure the talented youngster makes the trip.
“Shepherd is our new hope. We cannot afford to travel to Uzbekistan without him.”
Mapingire said efforts are continuing to secure the necessary resources for the team’s participation.
“We are still trying to organise. All hands are on the deck as we cannot afford to lose such an opportunity,” he said.
Kukudzarema’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. He first finished second at the JR Mawere tournament before going on to dominate the Minerva Open. The 21-year-old diesel plant fitting student at Mutare Polytechnic has already made history by winning three prestigious tournaments after competing in just 24 events.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the trip, Kukudzarema remains determined to represent Zimbabwe in Uzbekistan. He revealed that his long-term ambition is to become an international master before progressing to grand master status within the next three years, with the Olympiad presenting a valuable opportunity to earn points towards that goal.
“The Olympiad is the biggest platform for me to realise my dream of becoming a grand master,” he said. “This is the biggest tournament this year. I desperately want to be in Uzbekistan and represent my country. I know that I will perform well in the Olympiad.”
Kukudzarema also addressed questions about why he only recently began competing in local tournaments despite having played chess for many years.
“Some people think I started playing chess recently. For the record, I started playing chess when I was a kid. I started competing this year simply because I wanted to be sure that I was ready.”
He said patience has been one of the key pillars of his approach to the game.
“I am always calculative. I do not take part in competitions when I am not yet ready. In chess, patience pays because one gets more points after winning consecutive tournaments,” he said.
Mapingire remains optimistic that Zimbabwe’s participation plans will come together in time, pointing out that the registration process was completed several months ago.
“We are trying by all means,” he said. “Registration was done in April, but we are hopeful that we will be able to make the trip in time and represent Zimbabwe in Samarkand.”
