Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) is confident that the 14-member Malawi Junior Chess squad will challenge for medals at the ongoing African Youth Chess Championship (AYCC) in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa.
The tournament, which started on Saturday and ends on June 23, has registered players from 18 countries including the hosts South Africa, Malawi, Angola, Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia.
Players are competing in girls’ and open categories across six age groups in under-8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18. However, Malawi has skipped the latter [under-18].
Chessam Publicity Secretary Francisco Mwangupili said they have faith in the junior squad.
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“The team has the potential to win medals. Most of the youngsters are hungry for success,” Mwangupili said.
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Out of the 14 players, six are sponsored by Pyxus Agriculture and Alliance One through the Chess in Schools Project facilitated by Chessam.
Mwangupili said Hopeson Banda, Jennifer Justine, Lawrence Mwale, Glory Samu, Clara Robert and Blessings earned their spots by excelling in the Pyxus Interschool Chess Championships.
On the other hand, Chessam has also sponsored Beston Phiri, who is competing in the under-12 boys’ category.
“Beston is one of Malawi’s highly talented junior players, with a track record of exceptional performances in various tournaments, including the Mpilo Round Robin qualifiers, Khisho Board Games tournaments and 2023 Massa Youth Chess Championships in which he was the champion in his category,” Mwangulipi said.
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Dadaz Academy and parents are supporting the other players and they include Xavier Chinyama, Alipo Namangale, Gabriel Ngwira, Mbegani Samson Nyondo, Dominic Chitsime, Shivasai Vijaykumar Patil and Michelle Fosa.
Chessam Vice President Francis Kudzula is the leader of delegation while the association’s national schools coordinator Magret Ngugama and trainer Peter Nyama are part of the delegation.
Meanwhile, Phiri and Shivasai Patil have started impressively, winning their first two games.
