This was a round robin tournament as some of the players failed to make it due to the bad weather. Simbarashe won one of the most prized possessions at the tourney which was a Note pad Tablet as well as a medal. He was the overall best as well as the best under 20.
Tanyaradzwa Anderson came second with 4 points out of five games played only losing to the winner of the tournament Simbarashe Tsvana He also won a note pad Tablet for the under 16 best player which was the major prize for the tournament. Tanyaradzwa is from Darwin Primary School.
Tinotenda Anderson followed his twin brother Tanyaradzwa and he came third with three points out of five points. He won a medal for his efforts. Vincent Svinurai came fourth with two points, while Blessing Mukotsanjera had one point. Luckmore Chikunguru got the wooden spoon of the tournament. He failed to score a point and we hope that he will improve at the next tournament to be held at Andy Miller Hall at the Showgrounds. Mr Guranonga of Darwin Primary School expressed his gratitude after seeing a tournament of its own kind which had a lot of unique characteristics.
This is so because generally this group of learners is rarely given preferential treatment so that they play on their own. This was a first chess tournament for the Hearing Impaired players only. This gave them the opportunity to play on their own. The exposure gave them the opportunity to mix and mingle with other hearing Impaired learners.
There is inclusive learning at Darwin Primary School in Mt. Darwin.
Chenjerai Madamombe the Zimbabwe Chess Foundation Founder expressed his dismay at the number of participants which was very low, there is however need to promote the game in all the facets of life and to all parts of the Society. This brings into my mind the “Queen of Katwe” a chess film based on a true story. We should not put some barriers to the lives of other people. Let us give them the right opportunities at the right time so that these come into fruition. The vision which Tose Sonke and Zimbabwe Chess Foundation envisioned last year is almost bearing fruits and one day I foresee an International Master coming from this group of chess players as well as competing at the highest level.