This featured some ten players from different clubs which ply in the Elite chess league. International Masters Richmond Phiri, Chitumbo Mwali and Kelvin Chumfwa took part in the event. Also Fide Master Musonda Chola and Candidate Master Godwin Phiri are the titled players who took part. IM Richmond Phiri won the tournament half a point ahead of Chitumbo Mwali and Godwin Phiri. Richmond score 7 points out of the 9 games they played. He drew two games against Kabwe Timothy and Daka Justin before losing to Godwin Phiri in a pulsating blitz ending game. His best win was against Chitumbo Mwali the reigning National Champion who had a bad start after losing two games and drawing one game. Chitumbo lost to Kabwe Timothy before drawing against Mwansa Mambwe.
Chitumbo Mwali came back a wounded lion and won all the six games which followed to finish in second place with 6.5 points out of 9 games played. Godwin Phiri was tied on second place with Chitumbo, but his buccholz put him in third place. Godwin Phiri lost a seemingly drawn game against Chitumbo. It was a greedy Bishop capture which led to the downfall of Godwin Phiri after he opened up lines for the Queen and Rook as well as a Knight to deliver the much needed checkmate by Chitumbo. Godwin crumbled like a deck of cards in this game. Chitumbo did not hesitate to storm the barricades which he deed with no fear and produced the result which he needed the most. Godwin Phiri learnt a lesson in his game against Chitumbo which he also applied against ‘Komodo” Timothy Kabwe who wanted to force a win and this resulted in him losing a crucial point after overlooking Godwin’s winning attack this resulted in a painful loss to Kabwe who had resisted Phiri’s booby traps but had to loose after an oversight of the g2 attack which had a discovered attach resulting in an unavoidable mate. Daka Justin seems to be improving by each outing. He performed better than his rating finishing with 6 points out of 9 games played and coming a credible fourth position. Fide Master Musonda Chola came fifth with 4.5 points out of the 9 games played. Musonda failed to hold on against the fighting Chitumbo in round 8 and he collapsed in the process as the attack was just too hot to handle. He gave a good account of himself, however he failed to prevent the marching soldiers from being promoted in a knight and pawns end game.
Kameya Robson and Kabwe Timothy finished on position 6 and 7 respectively with 3.5 points out of 9 games played. IM Chumfwa Kelvin came 8th scoring a paltry 2.5 points for a player of his caliber. Certainly more was expected of him as an accomplished International Master who has represented the country for a long time at International events like the Olympiads and has won tournaments like the Botswana Open. Mwape William, and Mwansa Mambwe all finished with 2.5 points out of the 9 games played.
Meanwhile in the ladies section Lubuto Mulwale was the winner of the six ladies round robin event which was hosted at the same venue, NIPA. Lubuuto finished with 4.5 points out of 5 games played only drawing one game against Portia Mututubanya who finished with 3.5 points. Portia lost to Sauti Nilla. In third position was Sauti Nilla who finished with 2.5 /5 games played. Chitula Agatha came fourth with points that is 2 draws one win and 2 losses. In fifth position was Mweetwa Victoria who finished with 1.5 points. She drew three games against Sauti Nilla, Chitula and Mashane Mary. Victoria was the youngest player in this section and has a lot of potential to do much better. My prediction is that in five years’ time she can be Ladies National Campion. Mary Mashane finished with a point after drawing her two games against Agatha Chitula and Victoria Mweetwa.
The Chief Arbiter for the event was International Arbiter Aaron Banda of Zambia who was deputized by FA Victor Chimbamu of Zimbabwe. The tournament was a success because of the organizational abilities of Lusaka Province Chess Association (LPCA) whose Chair is Mr Henry Njovu, and Mr Maybin Chinama who is the Secretary General. Mr Vernon Mweetwa was also in attendance ensuring that the event went on well.
Full results for the event can be viewed on www.chess-results.com
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