All set for 2018 National Chess Championships

There will be fighting chess from all the age groups taking part in this year’s tournament. There are three sections taking part in this tournament. These are the men’s National chess championships, Ladies chess championships and finally the candidates’ chess championships. The daggers have been drawn and will be out starting on the 11^th and the men’s championships will be having the defending Champion Zhemba Zhemmusse out to defend his Title from the likes of Emerald Mushore, Elisha Chimbamu, Elisha Thabo, Tapiwa Jele who performed very well recently in Namibia by coming second in a star-studded field in a tournament which was won by International Master Gillian Bwalya of Zambia with a perfect score in a scintillating performance. Roy Mwadzura, Vitalis Mapuranga, International Master Rodwell Makoto who has the Nationals a record five times is likely to come here before he leaves for Batumi, Georgia where Zimbabwe will join other countries at the Olympiads sometime next month.

Albert Maketo is likely to play in the nationals. Candidate Master Spencer Masango will not be available for the Nationals as he will be taking part in the Zambia Chess Open which is likely to feature some International Masters from Zambia and around Africa, while also playing host to Grand Master Grover who is based in South Africa. This is likely to be a very pulsating tournament. Let the best player win. In the ladies National Women Candidate Master Kudzanai Charinda is likely to run away with the Title again in a second year running after winning it last year. She is likely to face tough opposition from Colleta Wakuruwarehwa, Tatenda Zengeni, WCM Paidaishe Zengeni and WCM Christine Makwena in this star-studded field.

This will present an opportunity for players to qualify for the 2020 Olympiads, as the bar is being raised for the players fighting for the stakes to be part of the teams taking part in the Olympiads which are the most prestigious chess fiesta just like the soccer world cup which was recently held in Russia. This is where players will also meet with the world’s best chess players on the planet. Among them will be Magnus Carlsen of Norway. The last year’s Candidates winner Gibson Malije and Van Madanhi are likely to join the fray in the nationals this year.

The Candidates will host a legion of players wanting to gain promotion into the Nationals. Bismarck Bhobhojani is likely to go and win this one as he is the favourite. Competition will be coming from Blessing Murasiranwa of the University of Zimbabwe. Fireworks and eruptions are expected on the chess boards and the best player will walk away richer and earning himself/ herself a spot in the 2020 team for the Olympiads.