Written By John Chibvuri
The Prince Edward Chess Festival held on Saturday,30 July 2011 was Glen Norah Knights Chess Academy’s very first tournament.The home based chess academy which started training hi-density Primary level school kids from scratch on 01 January 2011 came a respectable 3rd in the credible and well-organized tournament.
The Academy only lost one match to the team of the day Westlea.The Westlea team had highly experienced and tactical young guys:Mpumelelo Moyo (Grade 4 pupil), Kudakwashe Zimbawa, Tapiwa Chikwavaire and Patrick Gunsalu. It was a clean 4-0 whitewash in favour of the incredible and well composed Westlea young guys. The Academy has certainly taken a lesson from this Westlea bashing.
The Glen Norah based players massacred both Marlborough Primary and Tafara 1 Primary Schools 4-0.The team went on to beat Courteney A 21/2-11/2, and drew its final match with Courtney B.The final game against Courtney B was a disappointment for the Academy, a 3-1 win was imminent but misfortunes visited board 1 as Simbarashe left his backrank unguarded in the pursuit for his final victory. Had the Academy won this last match 2nd place position was possible.
In his closing speech the tournament organizer Mr Depe thanked all the teams that participated and confirmed that it was indeed a successful tournament.He encouraged all the teams to take part in all other school tournaments such as Hippo Valley, Gokomere etc on the chess calendar.
Mr T.Motsi who is a strong fan of the Glen Norah Knights Chess Academy was there to give all his support to the young guys. He praised the team and its founder Mr John Chibvuri for a job well done.
The Academy’s main inspiration and mentor, chess sensation International Master Robert Gwaze was also available to bless the team’s first tournament.Indeed his visit paid as the boys managed to be in the top three.
GLEN NORAH KNIGHTS CHESS ACADEMY PROUDLY DISPLAY THEIR VERY FIRST CERTIFICATE
G.N.K.C.A CAPTAIN RECEIVES THE VERY FIRST PRIZE OF THE TEAM
BEST TEAM OF THE DAY WESTLEA FROM RIGHT KUDAKWASHE ZIMBAWA,MPUMELELO MOYO,TAPIWA CHIKWAVAIRE & PATRICK GUNSALU
BEST TEAM OF THE DAY-WESTLEA PRIMARY
MR MOTSI WITH G.N.K.C.A TOP PLAYER SIMBARASHE