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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter

THE Zimbabwe chess team settled for a bronze medal in the SADC Zone 4.5 Chess Online Four Nations Cup.

The tournament was organised under the auspices of the Africa Zone 4.5 Chess Association, which is the governing body for Southern Africa.

This was a follow-up on last year’s Zone 4.5 Chess Championships, where Zimbabwe finished fifth.

The team format used four categories in order to encourage an all encompassing growth of chess from juniors to senior players.

The teams were made up of a total of 12 players.

Four senior male players, representing the Open category, four female players representing the women’s category, two Under-20 male players, and two Under-20 female players.

From these, a 10-player team, composed of three senior male players, three senior women players, two Under-20 players and two Under-20 women, would be fielded, with the remaining players being substitutes.

Zimbabwe’s line-up featured veteran Spencer Masango, Kudakwashe Sibanda, Tapiwa Gora and Collen Chikwature in the first category.

Kudzanayi Charinda, Tatenda Zengeni, Nomalungelo Mathe and Colletah Wakuruwarewa were in the women’s category.

Leeroy Mpala and Delight Kagogoda played in the Under-20 males category while Rumbidzai Mawire and Edith Muyambiri were in the women’s Under-20 players.

The competition was played as a round robin with a Rapid Time Control of 15 minutes plus five seconds per move for each player.

Zimbabwe lost the first game to Botswana by a score of 4-6, with South Africa beating Zambia 7-3.

Zimbabwe found some redemption in round two with a magnificent victory over South Africa.

Botswana continued cruising with a commanding win over Zambia.

Zimbabwe were second, going into the final day of the fixtures, with return matches.

The only way to claim pole position was to beat leaders Botswana.

The team applied all the tricks in the book, but Botswana managed to withstand and the result was a 5-5 draw.

Zambia continued singing the blues suffering a second loss at the hands of South Africa in round four.

Round 5 saw Zimbabwe’s hopes for gold being shattered after an internet glitch, which lasted about six minutes.

It resulted in significant losses in time for the players.

South Africa then profited from this to win 8-2.

Zambia managed to hold Botswana to a 5-5 draw.

Zimbabwe’s highest performer was Leeroy Mpala, who won best board prize with 4.5/6 points on board seven.

Tatenda Zengeni scored 4/6, Edith Muyambiri had 3.5 /6. Kudakwashe Sibanda played 2 rounds to score 2/2.

Zimbabwe Chess Federation secretary-general, Todd Mapingire, said he was very excited with the results.

“We were not supposed to be in this event, but for us to come in at the last minute and upset the teams which have had long preparations for this competition is an amazing accomplishment on our part.

“Many thanks to New World Property Managers, Joina City, for sponsoring Team Zimbabwe at such a short notice.

“They gave us a world class venue, with efficient computers and Internet for our team, to participate in this event.

“We also appreciate the continued support from Pulse Pharmaceutical for the support in terms of travel allowances, lunch and refreshments for the players.’’