Mabvuku High school successfully defended Maflicg Mazowe chess festival at a chess tournament held at Mazowe High school on the 21st of March 2015.
The team won this tournament last year. The team comprising of Munyaradzi Thom, Trevor Macheka, Solomon Chimuzura and Phillip Jekera walloped all their opponents in a five round swiss tourney which was run by FA Farirai Gumbe who was assisted by Lawrence Tavagwisa and John Chibvuri. The boys section had 42 teams.
Second after Mabvuku was Harare High school which amassed 9 points having 4 wins and one draw. Mazowe High A team came third after losing to Mufakose 2 ‘A’ team in a pulsating game. After their convincing win over Mazowe , Mufakose then lost to Zengeza 2 High who were led by Tapiwa Chikwavaire. Mabvuku dismissed Prince Edward A’ 2,5-1,5.
Greenwell Chimanya lost to Munyaradzi Thom in a game which his Queen was trapped and lost ver easy in the end game. On board 2 Trevor Macheka drew against Alpha Chaendera, while on board 3 Solomon Chimuzura won for Mabvuku and Phillip Jekera failed to play the end game accurately and he lost on board 4.
Earlier on in the second round Mabvuku had a scare from Howard whom they narrowly beat 3-1. Thom lost his game on board one , while Trevor Macheka, Solomon Chimuzura and Phillip Jekera had to salvage the team in blitz ending to edge the team 3-1. In the last round Mabvuku defeated Zengeza 2, 3,5-0,5. There was a draw on board two in which the game swinged like a pendulum but eventually drew. Prince Edward came fourth after being tied on the third position , but had inferior board points compared to Mazowe. Munyaradzi Thom was the best player on board one, Sean from Harare High school was the best player on board 2, while Solomon Chimuzura was the best on board 3 with a perfect score.
Meanwhile Avondale Primary school was the best Primary school in the tourney winning 3/ 5 games which they played against the secondary schools.The Paratema twins Bollard and Billard performed well for the team so was the little girl Rumbidzai Mawire who finished with 3/5 points in the games which she played.Interesting games were played with some maturity being shown by the young boys and girls. In the girls division 22 teams took part and Dominican Convent Harare ruled the roost. They came first and second respectively with 7 points.
Convent A team had a better number of board points than their counterparts. In third place was Howard A’ team followed by Malbereign C’ and St. Johns Chikwaka. Kudakwashe Murinda was the best player on board 1, while Makanaka Moyo was the best player on board 2, was the best player on board 3, while Theresa Mapfumo of St. Johns Chikwaka finished with a perfect score.
The tournament winners received some chess books, chess sets digital clocks, Demo boards as well as cash for coming out tops. Mabvuku received back the shield which they won last year to be the first team to successfully defend it since the inception of the tournament. The level of chess is growing throughout the country and Mash Central is also growing with the hosts leading the Province in the churning of good players.
Knights Chess Academy collected 3.5 points out of 5 rounds losing to Zengeza 2 High led by a top chess wizard Tapiwa Chikwavaira as well as being held to a boring draw by Kwayedza High. Overally the Knights came 7th.
The tournament had a huge turnout it was a successful tournament. NI Admire Mawire was there to watch the youthful side of Avondale so was the coach for Mabvuku FA Chimbamu and Lewis Kahoba the Dominican Convent coach who was very elated for winning this tournament though some players had gone to Bulawayo for the Catholic games. All will be set for the National chess Championships to be held in Mutare for the first time.
Ten Provinces will converge for the tourney which will see the following age groups taking part ; under 14,16,18 and 20 both boys and girls. Watch space for more details the tourney will run from the 27th-31st March.
Meanwhile KNIGHTS CHESS ACADEMY will do its monthly Scholars Individual Open Tournament on Saturday 28 March 2015. Venue is the usual Cabal Christian College in Gazaland Highfield, Harare. There shall be 10 overal prizes as well as 5 special prizes.
Contact Knights Chess Academy 0773 927 141 for Private Home Chess Lessons, School Group Sessions, Chess Sets, Recording Books, DvDs.
