Zim Open 2017 last round now underway. 7th round upset was on board 2, National team player Mushore losing to the Chitungwiza based Vitalis Mapuranga who is in good form and improving well. The Zambian Jere proved to be a beast against Elisha on the top board. Musekiwa lost to Zhemba on 3 and now Zhemba faces Spencer in the last round. A brilliant run for Zhemba! Tapiwa Chikwavaire was lucky to survive vs the scholar of the moment Roy Mwadzura in the 7th round as he had blundered a full Rook early in the opening only to trap Roy’s ‘greedy’ Queen later on. Spencer polished Thabov ‘The Russian’ neatly in time trouble on board 5 in Round 7.
Here are the top 5 boards for the 8th and final round in progress:
1st; Vitalis Mapuranga 6pts vs Daniel Jere 7pts,
2nd; Spencer Masango 5.5pts vs Zhemba Jemusse 6pts,
3rd; Ziome Munashe 5.5pts vs Tapiwa Chikwavaire 5.5pts;
4th; Emarald Mushore 5pts vs Terence Mukovhiya 5.5pts,
5th; Elisha Chimbamu 5pts vs Moyo Peter 5pts.
Leading Ladies so far are: Zimbabwean Valentine Pasipanodya on board 14 with 4pts, and on board 23 another Zimbabwean Linda Shaba at 3.5pts. Eppah Tembo the Zambian Lady and wife to IM Jere is on board 27 facing Donald Mazo.
