A brilliant show indeed at the CHRISTIAN CHESS OLYMPIAD 2013 exhibited by 10 year old Nomatter Sibanda of GNKCA. The historic event was held for the first time at the Belgravia Sports Club in Harare. Chess, Soccer, Atheletics and other sports made the day Saturday 5 October 2013 a special one as the young ones and adults showed their unique skills in various disciplines.
Chess had two sections, Scholars and Adults. The Adult section was won by top Zimbabwe Chess players Gift Sithole and Thabov Elisha both tied at 4.5 points out of 5. Michael Musekiwa, Emarald Mushore (our current Zimbabwe Champion), Dion Moyo and Max Pindura were all sitting on 2nd position with 4 points. Tied 3rd with 3 points were Dr Patrick Mhaka, Yours Truly, Farirayi Gumbe, Wilber Makumbe, Batista, Courage Svotwa, Vincent Magunje, and Misheck Chimutanda. 33 Players took part in the Adult Section.
Here is how top player Thabov Elisha saw the beautiful event :
“It was a great way to spend the weekend, The Christian Olympiad Chess tourney. This tournament was well publicised, from the herald with our very own chess with the Sacker!, on face book and on what sup.
The turnout was not bad considering that it was the 1st time ever, having more than 30 players in the adult category, probably some people hesitated to come because the prize fund was not known until the players arrived there.
In the nationals category we had our very own current national champion Emarald Mushore who recently finished 5th at the Botswana open after out playing IM Stanley Chumfwa and steamrolled IM Gillan Bwalya, Dion Moyo, the son of a doctor and Thabov (anorova gentlemen) Elisha.
In the Party spoilers category we had our very own Gift Sithole, who is definitely one of the most feared Blitz players, and has a plus score against Spensor Masango, Michael Musekiwa well known for his (Nyangi Nyangi) variations.
In the veterans category we had the good doctor Dr Mhaka and Max Pindura well known for the English opening which he has been playing for the past 20 years!!.
In this 5 round tournament with 20 min aside. In the 1st round As Max Pindura was happy that it was very long before he has played on board 1. It was not the same on board 4 as Mushore met Dion Moyo in the very 1st round. This game can be voted the game of the tournament, in a highly tactical game Mushore sacrificed a pawn to activate his pieces especially the light squared Bishop which stated breathing fire and Dion Moyo felt compelled and offered to sacrificed his rook for the bishop which Mushore rejected ,Dion then rerouted his pieces to a seemingly winning position. When Mushore manoeuvred his Knight to f5 there was fire now on the board!!The game was about to have a fair result of a draw until Dion’s very same rook sacrificed its self to the same bishop but now unknowingly and at the wrong time, 3min was left on the clock. Mushore took the bacon home.
The following was round was interesting as we saw Farirai (figu ) Gumbe dominating at board 1, Thabov, Sithole, Mushore coming from behind. Then came round 3, with the captain of party spoilers Sithole vs Emarald Mushore. The game was tense, with Sitholes’s quick hands and calculations under time pressure (in a bishop and knight ending) and with the help his favourite piece, the knight, he managed to covet a lost game from being 2 pawn down. Sithole’s knight changed shape and became an octopus; with its gigantic tentacles stretched all over the board!, the king as a attacking piece was the lesson of the game. On board 1 was Thabov and Farirai (Figu) Gumbe. Thabov after having blundered a pawn in the opening on the king side prevented counter play and started playing on the queen side, created a pawn and was allowed to win an exchange for a seemingly lost position. Farirai’s knight was unmatched on d5 and Thabov probably not liking his position asked for a draw which was rejected. Under time pressure Thabov managed to hold the position and the time until Farirai’s flag fell in a very complicated position.
The 5th round saw wins from the favourite players and a draw on board 1 between Sithole and Thabov. Fungirai Chiweshe the facilitator of the tournament said this was going to e an annual event and hoping for more players next year as its going to be bigger and better. This was a well run tournament.
Prizes were 1st $100, 2nd $80, 3th $50, 4th $30.
The shields were from position 1 to 8.
Joint 1st was Gift Sithole and Thabov Elisha
Joint 2nd was Michael Musekiwa ,Emerald Mushore, Dion Moyo and Max Pindura.
Joint 3rd was Dr Mhaka, John Chibvuri, Farirai Gumbe, Courage Svotwa and the so called Animal Batista etc.”
Nomatter Sibanda is doing grade 5 at Zuvarabuda Primary School in Glen Norah Harare. He started playing chess last year in August 2012 when he joined Glen Norah Knights Chess Academy (GNKCA). The CHRISTIAN CHESS OLYMPIAD SCHOLARS gold medal is his first major tournament achievement and he won it in style 5/5 a 100% record!
He was closely followed by another fast improving GNKCA wonder kid Tapiwa Mawire who scored a good 4/5 only to lose to the first CHRISTIAN CHESS OLYMPIAD SCHOLARS champion in the 4th round. On 3rd spot was Avondale Primary’s Vongai Gwede with 3 points. 13 Players fought for honours in this Scholars Section.
Meanwhile, on the same day of the Olympiad Saturday 5 October 2013 various Secondary Schools participated in the annual credible Prince Edward Chess Festival.
Top 5 Rankings after 5 rounds: (17 senior teams participated)
1.GOROMONZI HIGH 5pnts
2.PRINCE EDWARD 4pnts
3.CHURCHILL HIGH 3.5pnts
4.GNKCA 3pnts
5.MUFAKOSE 2 HIGH 3pnts
Goromonzi High led by a chess maestro Van Madanhi lifted the Chess Festival Shield in style demolishing powerhouses; Churchill, GNKCA. Prince Edward School came 2nd and they had a good day as they beat their main rivals GNKCA. GNKCA had won against Prince Edward in June 2013 at the Gokomere Chess Festival in Masvingo. This time GNKCA’s man made of steel Zhemba Jemusse lost to the PE ‘Iron Man’ Lawrence Tavagwisa in a thrilling battle. Again it was a revenge mission for Tavagwisa as he had lost against Jemusse on board 1 in Masvingo June 2013.
Churchill suffered a defeat against the team of the day Goromonzi High. Van Madanhi of Goromonzi had no mercy for the current Scholars Champion Tapiwa Gora of Churchill as he made sure the valuable point should be in the bag to lift the Shield. Zhemba Jemusse and Van Madani drew on board 1 in the GNKCA vs Goromonzi battle but as a team Goromonzi was well composed.
Churchill High came 3rd in the event as GNKCA were on 4th place. GNKCA’s team comprised of; Zhemba Jemusse (17), Tapiwa Chikwavaire (16), Collins Mabodongwa (10) and Kudzai Mhandu (11). A total of 17 teams took part in the Senior Section and 20 teams in the Junior Section. GNKCA’s team B lead by Vincent Mabodongwa came 5th in the Junior Section.
Here is an account of the event by Victor Chimbamu (tournament organizer):
The tourney had a strong field of teams which included Prince Edward,Glen Norah Knights,Mufakose 2 High and Churchill.Glen Norah Knights fell to Goromonzi and Prince Edward schools respectively. Zhemba Jemusse who was on board one for the Knights drew against Van Madanhi on board one ,while Tapiwa Chikwavaire lost to Kudzaishe Manyanya on board 2,Collins Mabodongwa lost to Anesu Gwezere on board 3,while Kudzai Mhandu is the only Knight that got a point on board 4 against Panashe Gatsi..
The Knights lost to Prince Edward as well.Zhemba losing to Lawrence Tavagwisa,Alpha Chaendera lost to Tapiwa Chikwavaire ,while FM Matemavi Tatenda won his game as well as the 4th board. Mufakose 2 High lost 3,5 -0,5 to Goromonzi. Paddington Dzinzi lost to Van Madanhi, Manyanya is the only one who drew on board 2.Gwezere and Gatsi won their games to cement Goromonzi’s win in the tourney. Prince Edward whitewashed Budiriro in the final round.
The most interesting game pitted Lawrence Tavagwisa and Kuzimwai Baila the former team mates at Mufakose 2 High School. Baila lost in a blitz ending to Tavagwisa. Goromonzi beat all their opponents in a five round tourney.Tapiwa Gora led the Churchill team that lost 3,5-0,5 to Goromonzi. He lost his game to Madanhi. Eventually Goromonzi came first followed by Prince Edward A and Churchill respectively. Seventeen teams took part in the A division and the games were very interesting. Van Madanhi was the best player on board one.
Chapoloza of Prince Edward was the best player on board 4,while Anesu Gwezere of Goromonzi was the best player on board 3.
Meanwhile in the B Division Seke 1 High were the winners winning all their 5 games followed by Mazowe High School and St. Alberts who both had 4 points. On some special prizes the best senior girls team was Dominican Convent A.They won 3 games and drew 2 games ,while St.Alberts won 4 and lost one.ZRP Boarding school came third. Elaine Gatsi of Dominican Convent was the best player in the senior girls category.
In the Junior girls category ZRP Boarding came first,followed by Chipindura A and Goromonzi respectively. Sibongile Nyathi was the best player in this category.Goromonzi won a floating shield and cash for winning the tourney. Prince Edward and Churchill won some cash prizes for their efforts as well as other best players on boards in different categories. The tourney was run by Mr Bepe assisted by Victor Chimbamu as well as other teachers. Chess players of great potential were seen at this tournament.
On behalf of GNKCA special thanks goes to our Sponsors Silverton Radiators Harare especially Manager Mr Virimayi Mawire. The Radiator company covered GNKCA’s food, transport and registration fee costs. It also donated beautiful dark blue t/shirts to the GNKCA youngsters who took part in both the Olympiad and Prince Edward tournaments.
Please contact Mr Virimayi Mawire (Manager-Silverton Radiators Harare) on 0772 954 184 if you have any Radiator problem, or in need of a free Radiator test!
