TOP female chess player Colleta Wakuruwarewa is basking in the glory of winning the Easter Chess Open women’s title following the competition, which concluded in Masvingo on Monday.
After missing out on the CBZ National Championship, in which she settled for third place earlier this month, Wakutuwarewa had the last laugh in the Easter Open.
She amassed seven points to win the female category after a tie-break, having finished level with three other players Nomalungelo Mathe, who had to settle for silver, Women Candidate Master Refiloe Mudodo, who took bronze and Tatenda Ndou who finished fourth.
“I am excited about this win. April has been a great month for me in terms of chess. In the first week of the month, we played the CBZ Nationals, where I won a bronze medal,” Wakuruwarewa said.
“But I knew I had to convert that to a gold medal at the Easter Chess Open, which is what I am very much proud of. Being at the podium two times in the same month was huge for me.
“I want to continue to perform well at the top level so that I inspire the young ones to aspire for greatness. At the same time, I am grateful to the tournament sponsors for coming on board to make these tournaments a success.”
Zambia’s Gilliam Bwalya ruled the roost in the men’s category with eight points, half-a-point ahead of Spencer Masango.
Tapiwa Jele finished third to settle for the bronze.
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The Easter Chess Open is one of the country’s major chess tournaments, the others being the CBZ Zim National Chess Championships which were held earlier this month, the CABS Candidates tournament and the Minerva Zimbabwe Open Chess Tournament.
At least 60 golfers from across Zimbabwe as well as from outside the country competed in the latest edition of the event which was staged at Regency Flamboyant Hotel in Masvingo.
Regency Hotels were one of the corporates that sponsored the tournament.
Tournament organiser Jerry Moyana was happy with the competitive nature of the event and also paid tribute to the sponsors.
“This was a great showcase of top level chess and we are also glad that we managed to attract competitors from Zambia and some who are based in South Africa for this prestigious event,” he said.
“We are also thankful to Honourable Eddison Zvobgo Jnr, who through his Regency Hotels, provided the venue and sponsorship and we hope their contribution will inspire other corporates to back this and other chess events at district, provincial and national level.”
