Malawian Chess Players Compete in Zimbabwe's Minerva Open Chess Championship
Two talented chess players from Malawi have joined 150 participants in the highly anticipated Minerva Open Chess Championship held in Zimbabwe, writes Happy Valirani.
HARARE, Zimbabwe — Two talented chess players from Malawi have joined 150 participants in the highly anticipated Minerva Open Chess Championship held in Zimbabwe, writes Happy Valirani.
Organised by the Zimbabwe Chess Federation, the tournament kicked off on Friday, May 26, 2023, and will conclude on Monday, May 29, 2023.
FIDE Master Joseph Mwale, the reigning national chess champion of 2023, is representing Malawi alongside Alain Namangale in the prestigious open section.
This section features a total of 150 players, including International Master Gillian Bwalya from neighbouring Zambia, who holds the highest rating among all participants.
In the women's section, 46 players are vying for victory, with Zimbabwe's Women Candidate Master Charinda Kudzanai leading the pack as the top seed.
Francisco Mwangupili, the spokesperson for the Chess Association of Malawi (CHESSAM), hailed the participation of Mwale and Namangale as a significant milestone for the advancement of chess in Malawi.
He emphasised their objective of elevating their ratings and gaining invaluable experience in international tournaments.
"FM Joseph Mwale is one of the four players involved in the Grandmaster project, spearheaded by CHESSAM. This initiative aims to produce Malawi's first international master and potentially a grandmaster. By participating in this tournament, he is exposed to other international masters with whom he can compete and demonstrate his remarkable skills," Mwangupili stated.
"Meanwhile, Alain Namangale seeks to improve his rating while gaining vital experience in international tournaments. When players within a country achieve higher chess ratings, it positively impacts the country's global rank.”
Mwangupili emphasised that CHESSAM's overarching objective is to secure chess titles through increased participation in international tournaments.
He emphasised that players cannot attain the titles of FIDE Master (FM), International Master (IM), or Grandmaster (GM) by solely playing against opponents from their own country.
Regarded as one of the most prominent chess events in Africa, the Minerva Open Chess Championship boasts a total prize fund of $10,000.
The winner of the open section will receive a substantial $2,000 cash prize, while the victor in the women's section will be awarded $1,000.
Chess enthusiasts and spectators eagerly anticipate the thrilling matches and strategic battles that will unfold during the Minerva Open Chess Championship, as players from across Africa compete for recognition and glory in this highly esteemed tournament.