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Don Makanyanga

Sports Reporter

THE Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) is set to host this year’s edition of the Easter Open Chess tournament in Masvingo where more than 350 athletes are set to participate.

This year’s edition of the Open Chess tournament is set to run from March 29 to April 1 at the Regency Flamboyant Hotel and Kwa Jerry Kunyama.

The tournament will consist of three categories namely the Open Section, Ladies Section, and Development Category for juniors under 14.

ZCF Secretary General, Todd Mapingire said all was ready for the tournament revealing that the hosting of the tournament in Masvingo was part of the federation’s effort to spread the sport across the country as they target to unearth raw talent.

“All is set for this year’s edition of the Easter Chess Open Tournament which will be held in Masvingo.

“It has always been our quest as a federation that we spread chess throughout the country.

“Most of our national players have been from Harare because that is where most of the tournaments have been held but as a federation, we have a vision of spreading the sport across the country so that we can identify raw talent and widen our base for national team players,” said Mapingire.

Mapingire revealed that there has been an increase in the number of participants from last year with more than 350 participants expected to be part of this year’s edition.

“We have a marked increase in the number of participants from last year where we had close to 150 participants and this year we have more than 350 participants.

“We do have close to 200 participants in the Open and Ladies section while there are more than 150 participants in the development section,” said Mapingire.

Among the participants of this year’s edition are defending champions Takudzwa Mushore and Paidashe Zengeni.

Mushore will face stiff competition from the likes of former national champion Jemusse Zhemba and Roy Mwadzura while in the lady’s section, Zengeni battles it out with the likes of Kudzanayi Charinda, Linda Shaba, Refiloe Mudodo, and Colletta Wakuruwarewa.