TOP female chess player Christine Makwena managed to defend her CBZ National Open Chess Championship in the ladies' section while Tapiwa Jele from Bulawayo was a first-time winner in the men's section of the event, which concluded in Harare on Saturday.
The event kicked off on Tuesday with 20 of the country’s best chess players, 10 men and 10 women battling for the honours.
Makwena finished the tournament with 7,5 points after nine rounds to claim her overall third win in the event and second in succession.
Kudzanayi Chirinda was second with seven points, while Colletta Wakuruwarewa was third with six points.
Makwena was delighted with the title defence.
“It's not easy to win the national championships for the second time in a row because it's the biggest competition that the country has to offer. The competition was very tough and it was not clear that I was going to win, considering where I was towards the end of the competition. But I am happy I managed to pull through,” she said.
Jele was a surprise winner in the men’s section needing a count out to beat Vitalis Mapuranga to the title after both players finished on seven points.
In third place was Zhemba Jemusse, who also needed a count out to pip Roy Mwadzura to a final medal position.
Defending champion Emarald Mushore could only settle for ninth place.
“I am so happy because this is the first time winning the national championships. The last time I played, I finished in seventh place. I was surprised to win this event because I lost my second game where I was in a winning position, and I thought that was the end. I later realised that I could win the tournament,” Jele said.
The event was sponsored by CBZ Bank alongside its sister unit, Red Sphere, which came on board this year.
CBZ Holdings' head of marketing and corporate affairs, Manatsa Gaka, was the guest of honour at the awards.
“I have to say that it was an exciting week for us here at CBZ hosting you at our training centre. It was a very exciting tournament. It went right down to the wire. It was cutthroat and very competitive, showcasing the talent that we have in chess.
“We have made a commitment that is in its third or fourth year now and the epitome of this relationship is the introduction of Red Sphere Finance, a strategic business unit which is part of CBZ Holdings. They requested to partner in this relationship to be part of the unravelling story of Zimbabwe chess. There is a lot of what chess can look forward to from CBZ,” he said.
