Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) says the Malawi Open Chess Championship is becoming a significant feature in Southern Africa.
Chessam Publicity Secretary Francisco Mwangupili said this after the association hosted the three-day Malawi Open Championship in Salima District last week.
“This year’s open championship was better [than the 2023 one]. In 2023, we had less than 10 players from three countries participating. This time, 40 players from other countries registered but 30 took part. We also had players from Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique,” he said.
Commenting on the performance of Malawi’s players, Mwangupili said it was promising.
He added that there was room for improvement.
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“Generally, people’s expectations were that Zambia would dominate but our player Joseph Mwale made sure to lift the title. The only setback was that we had two Malawians in the top 10, including Precious Kamwendo,” he said.
The championship, which ended on Monday, attracted 88 players.
In the open category, Fide Master (FM) Joseph Mwale left no stone unturned in his quest to defend the motherland from foreign titans.
By round six, it was clear that Mwale’s goals were high, being the only unbeaten player with a 100 percent score rate.
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He maintained the pace and the unbeaten streak through the last three rounds to emerge champion, in a field where spectators hoped Zambian geniuses would dominate.
Mwale, who received K1.8 million for emerging champion, said he was composed to win the tough tournament.
“It was not easy. I had to remain calm and concentrate throughout,” he said.
Zambian International Master (IM) Gillian Bwalya finished as runners-up and got K1.2 million whereas his compatriot, Thomas Zulu, ended third to pocket K1 million.
In the women’s category, Linda Shaba from Zimbabwe conquered the field to get the crown.
Her trophy came with a K1 million cash prize.
On second and third position, respectively, were Tanaka Dzinanyi from Zimbabwe and Woman Fide Master Constance Mbatha of Zambia, who won K750,000 and K500,000, respectively.
Top 10 players from each category received prize money.
The tournament was sponsored by the Malawi National Council of Sports, Kwithu Kitchen, Malawi Revenue Authority, Sigelege Beach Resort and Fide Open Aid Project.
