Malawi’s representatives at the Zimbabwe Open Chess Championship, Daisy Nkhoma and Magret Ngugama, put up an impressive performance, but missed out on podium finish over the weekend.
Nkhoma finished on fifth position with six points whereas Ngugama ended on 11th place after amassing five points during the three-day championship, which started on Saturday in Harare.
Ngugama said the tournament was competitive and they have learnt many things.
“This is what is required for us to improve. Playing was for fun and I learnt a lot. My end-game will never be the same again,” she said through a WhatsApp message.
Chess Association of Malawi Publicity Secretary, Makhosi Nyirenda, said Nkhoma and Ngugama were only betrayed by a tie-breaking system.
“If you checked the ranking, you will notice that Daisy could have finished on fourth position, having tied on points with four others but she was pushed to position six because of the tie-breaking system. Similarly, Ngugama could have ended on position six but she was pushed to position 11,” he said.
Nyirenda cited Nkhoma’s win, in round seven, over Zimbabwe’s highest rated female player, Colleta Mukuruwareva, as an indication that Malawi chess was developing.
He applauded the ladies for travelling to Zimbabwe using personal resources.
“They have been exemplary. It is not easy to sacrifice personal resources for such activities. They have also performed well, and it is just a matter of time before they start conquering international tournaments. Others need to emulate their gesture,” he said.
Recently, Chiletso Chipanga won the Africa Amateurs Chess Championship gold medal in Lusaka, Zambia.
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