IM Providence had the white pieces and did not stop from the word go to attack the Zambian IM. had drawn against IM Stanley Chumfwa of Zambia and was yet to taste any defeat.He led the 20 players who took part and made it very impossible for them by defeating former National Champion Emerald Mushore in the last round to finish with 7,5 points out of 9 rounds.He also revenged the previous defeat he suffered against Elisha Chimbamu who lost in a very interesting game. Spencer Masango also lost to IM Gillian Bwalya in a seemingly drawn end game.
IM Gillian Bwalya beat his compatriots Richmond Phiri and Andrew Kayonde in some very tricky positions which he easily converted.FM Andrew Kayonde came second after amassing 6,5 points a full point behind the winner IM Gillian Bwalya.IM Richmond Phiri and IM Providence Oatlhotse were tied on third position with 6 points they were separated by butcholtz and the positions are shown on the final ranking tables respectively. IM Stanley Chumfwa lost to Elisha Chimbamu in a very complex end game which was seemingly drawn, but the later prevailed in a blitz ending in which Elisha played accurately. Elisha Chimbamu was the best placed Zimbabwean player also on 5 points. He lost 2 games drew 4 and won 3 games in the tightly contested IM Norm prestige section. The Chief Arbiter was Clive Mpambela. Below is a table showing the final rankings of the prestige section.
Final Ranking after 9 Rounds
Final Ranking after 9 Rounds
| Rk. | SNo | Name | FED | Rtg | Pts. | Â TB1 | Â TB2 | Â TB3 | |
| 1 | 2 | IM | Bwalya Gillan | ZAM | 2313 | 7,5 | 0,0 | 43,0 | 35,5 |
| 2 | 1 | CM | Kayonde Andrew | ZAM | 2361 | 6,5 | 0,0 | 41,0 | 34,5 |
| 3 | 6 | IM | Phiri Richmond | ZAM | 2249 | 6,0 | 1,0 | 41,5 | 35,5 |
| 4 | 3 | IM | Oatlhotse Providence | BOT | 2309 | 6,0 | 0,0 | 37,5 | 31,5 |
| 5 | 4 | IM | Chumfwa Stanley | ZAM | 2307 | 5,0 | 0,0 | 42,5 | 37,5 |
| 6 | 9 | Chimbamu Elisha | ZIM | 2157 | 5,0 | 0,0 | 37,0 | 32,0 | |
| 11 | Phiri Gondwin | ZAM | 2146 | 5,0 | 0,0 | 37,0 | 32,0 | ||
| 8 | 19 | CM | Dimba James | ZAM | 2083 | 5,0 | 0,0 | 34,5 | 29,5 |
| 9 | 5 | IM | Chumfwa Kelvin | ZAM | 2283 | 5,0 | 0,0 | 34,0 | 29,0 |
| 10 | 13 | Munenga Douglas | ZAM | 2117 | 5,0 | 0,0 | 34,0 | 29,0 | |
| 11 | 7 | Mushore Emarald | ZIM | 2201 | 4,5 | 0,0 | 36,0 | 31,5 | |
| 12 | 10 | Masango Spencer | ZIM | 2148 | 4,0 | 0,0 | 40,5 | 36,5 | |
| 13 | 8 | Kaulule Siame Kela | ZAM | 2159 | 4,0 | 0,0 | 33,5 | 29,5 | |
| 14 | 15 | Sibanda Kudakwashe | ZIM | 2107 | 4,0 | 0,0 | 32,0 | 28,0 | |
| 15 | 12 | Jilowa Tito | ZAM | 2125 | 3,5 | 0,0 | 35,0 | 31,5 | |
| 16 | 14 | Kahoba Lewis | ZIM | 2114 | 3,5 | 0,0 | 34,5 | 31,0 | |
| 17 | 16 | CM | Moyo Dion James | ZIM | 2083 | 3,0 | 0,0 | 34,0 | 31,0 |
| 18 | 20 | Janyure Farai | ZIM | 2020 | 3,0 | 0,0 | 31,0 | 28,0 | |
| 19 | 17 | Sibanda Castro Bekithemba | ZIM | 2071 | 3,0 | 0,0 | 29,0 | 26,0 | |
| 20 | 18 | CM | Abrantes Persson | MOZ | 2051 | 1,5 | 0,0 | 31,0 | 29,5 |
Meanwhile there was also a ladies open tournament which was held from January 1-3, 2016 as well as the Men’s Open section which was held at Causeway Canteen. In the ladies section Lorita Mwango WIM of Zambia won the first place with 7,5 points out of 8 games. She walloped all the Zimbabwean ladies only to draw her last round game against her Zambian counterpart.Colleta Wakuruwarehwa of Zimbabwe was the best Zimbabwean lady with 6,5 points coming second followed by Rhodha Masiyazi and Tatenda Zengeni all on 6 points. Termaine Chizikani came 5th with 5,5 points while WCM Constance Mbatha of Zambia came 6th out of 38 players. The competition was very stiff but very interesting with som pulsating games on the show displayed by the ladies and gentlemen. In the men’s open section Godwin Phiri of Zambia walked away with the first prize with 6,5 points.
He shared the first position with Elisha Thabo and Mugove Muririma. The later were separated on butcholtz.So it was a three way tie-break for the first position. Elisha Thabo dismissed Spencer Masango in round 5 in an interesting ending before playing another tough game against IM kelvin Chumfwa whom he defeated in an interesting fashion.In the final round he drew against Godwin Phiri who enjoys his game when he is here in Zimbabwe. Albert Maketo surprised IM Providence of Botswana in round 5 in a very pulsating game which left some onlookers amased by the level and depth of the game.
It was not yet enough for the Botswana based IM who lost his final round to Nigel Mabiza of Zimbabwe who lost to Elisha Thabo in a drawn position which he wanted to forcibly win, the rook ending was never going to be a win for the best defender of the game after tiring throughout the game. Former National Champion Emerald Mushore was held to a draw by Solomon Chimuzura a scholar at Mabvuku High school in round 5 before being forced to another draw by another student at the same school Phillip Jekera in round 6.Solomon Chimuzura was the best scholar with 5,5 points out of 7 rounds of play. He did not lose any game drawing three games and winning four games.
There was a 7 way tie break on 6 points. These were: IM Kelvin Chumfwa, Munenga Douglas both of Zambia, Mabiza Nigel, Muzhingi Shingai, Masimba Anesu and Zvidzai Tafadzwa a former student at ZRP Boarding school. Mandeya Hamilton,CM Abrantess Persson of Mozambique, Siame Kela(Zambia),Banda Aaron (Zam), Murandu Elisha,Sibanda Castro, Chimuzura Solomon, Chimbamu Elisha and Ncube Sifiso were all on 5,5 points.The tournament attracted a total of 206 players which was a record turnout. The Chief Arbiter was IA Clive Mpambela was assisted by FA Murimi Simbarashe,FA Chimbamu, FA Gumbe, NA Mawire, NA Sithole and NA Charumbira helped in the running of the tournament. Compliments of the New year!!
Post published in: Sport