200 masters descend on Harare

Over 200 chess masters from across the region are expected to descend on Harare for the Zimbabwe Chess Open Championships starting on New Year’s Day.

The mental gymnast’s tournament that runs from January 1 to 6 will attract participants from Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi Namibia, Angola, Botswana and South Africa.

Kingdom bank, Commarton Consultancy, Company CBZ Holdings and POSB have all invested in cash and in kind for the regional tourney to run smoothly.

Zimbabwe Chess Federation President Charles Kuwaza said fireworks are expected at the championships as it will bring some renowned players together as big incentives on the offing.

“We have some of the best players in the region having already confirmed their participation,” said Kuwaza. “It is the biggest tournament to have been hosted in the region with big prize money in the offing. We are looking forward to it and we hope the prizes will stay here.”

Kuwaza said that the championship will take an eleven round format where they will seed the players according to their international rankings.

The player with the most points after 11 rounds will win the top prize.

Zimbabwe’s top players like Farai Mandizha, spencer Masango, Emily Zengeni, and former African Player of the Year Robert Gwaze will have to be at their best colliding with the region’s top players.

They will have to shrug off challenges from celebrated mental artists like Watu Kobesi of South Africa and Zambian Grandmaster Amon Simutowe.

The top 10 players at the end of the 11 rounds will receive cash prizes and there will be prizes for the best female player, the youngest and the oldest players.

The tournament will serve as preparations for next year’s All-Africa games that will be hosted by Mozambique.

Taddy Manyepo