Our Knights Academy product Glen Norah ghetto youth Kudzai Mhandu and now Gokomere Form 2 student shines (Zim U15 Champ 2016…and last year was Zim U14 Champ)……..
Last year we had a post on the 23rd of Dec on our Knights pages and it reads…….
"My name is Kudzai Mhandu. I recently took part in the U14 Section of the Africa Youth Chess Championships 2015 in Lusaka Zambia from the 4th to the 13th of December 2015. I performed very well facing very stiff competition from the Algerians, Zambians etc. I started playing Chess in Jan 2011 when Knights Chess Academy Zimbabwe (Glen Norah Knights Chess Academy) was formed. My most memorable times were; lifting the Gokomere Festival Shield in June 2012 (was in grade 5 then), being crowned the Churchill Festival Champs in June 2013, and all this happened with the Knights team. Also early 2015 I was the Zimbabwean undisputed U14 Champ, at a national tournament held in Mutare. Thanks to the Knights I’m a hero now nationally especially in the Masvingo province where Im doing my high school education at Gokomere.
And now here is how I’ve managed to beat my first FM (FIDE Master)..not only a FIDE Master but a player from a powerhouse Algeria! The Knights & other Zimbabweans will always cherish this game..I was unlucky not to have a medal and title. This FM from Algeria (Adrar Sofiane) got Silver and had same points (6pts) with me. I unfortunately lost on tie break. The winner of the U14 Section another player from Algeria had 8.5pts followed by 3 guys including myself with 6pts. I came 4th according to the computer bucholtz (tie break) ranking.
White: KUDZAI MHANDU (Zimbabwe)
Black:FM ADRAR SOFIANE (Algeria)
Here is his recent article in a reputable Zimbabwe Province Newspaper The Mirror………..read on…….The Mirror Newspaper (Masvingo Province) of 27 May – 2 June 2016.
"…Gokomere form 2 pupil wins national chess champs (Zim U15 Champ 2016)
Flying to Zambia to represent Zimbabwe in continental competitions.
NKLUMANI MLAMBO (The Mirror Writer)
MASVINGO – kUDZAI Mhandu who is a Form 2 pupil at Gokomere High School is the national youth chess champion (Zimbabwe U15 Champ 2016) after clinching first position at the national chess finals held at Matopo High School (in Matopos 29th March to early April 2016) in Matebeleland South.
Mhandu will represent the country at the Africa Youth Chess Championship (in Port Elizabeth, South Africa in August 2016) and Africa Scholars Chess Championship (in Lusaka Zambia in December 2016).
Mhandu is not new to the continental championships as he has represented the country twice before, at the Africa Scholars Championship in Botswana in August last year where he clinched 5th position out of over 53 athletes from across the continent.
In December 2015 he raised the country’s flag high when he came out number 4 (joint 2nd with 2 others at 6/9) at the Africa Youth Chess Championship in Lusaka, Zambia.
Kudzai’s (school) coach and teacher Masimba Mutakaya who has been tutoring chess at Gokomere since 2009had a chatwith The Mirror last weekon Friday (End of May).
"The boy has made the school and the country proud with his brilliant play and wish that this year he will be a Candidate Master, " said Mutakaya.
Kudzai won the right to represent the country after outperforming 19 other players from the country’s 10 provinces at National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) sponsored finals held at Matopo High.
"I want to beat my last record in the forthcoming African competitions and hopefully become a Grand Master (in future), the highest level of chess," said Kudzai.
The Chess whizkid started playing at primary level in grade 4 when he enrolled with Glen Norah Knights Chess Academy which was under the watchful eye of John Chibvuri (yours truly) who inspired him.
Kudzai started collecting medals from as early as grade 5 when he clinched bronze in the Prince Edward and Churchill Boys High School Festival.
At the Zimbabwe Open he was adjudged the best U12 when he was in grade 5 and best U13 when he was doing grade 6.
At the Gokomere Chess Festival Kudzai in grade 5 and 6 then was rated the Best on Board although he was competing against secondary school students.
Gokomere (a Boarding School in the Masvingo Province of Zimbabwe) has produced some of the best chess players in the country including 2010 U20 gold medallist at national NASH championships held at Plumtree High School in Matebeleland South, Kelvin Chingodo, 2011 Tafadzwa Tomu won gold in the U18 national championships held at Evelyn High School, Bulawayo together with Chido Tonhodzai in the girls’ category.
Kudzanai Mamombe a former Gokomere student achieved the International Master title which is a record for the school."
NATIONAL SELECTION 2016 RESULTS (HIGH SCHOOLS)
Matopo High (7 Rounds Played), Matebeleland South
U13 Boys
1. Gambe Clever
2. Banda Tafadzwa
3. Muchimeve Tadairwa
U14 Boys
1. Mandimutsira Craig
2. Mutsvanga Simbarashe
3. Mukuku Clyton
U15 BOYS
1. Mhandu Kudzai
2. Jobe Brandon
3. Ndakuedzwa Gerald
U16 Boys
1. Hamandishe Farai
2. Mapfumo Tinashe
3. Dube Marshal
U17 Boys
1. Kufakunesu Anotidaishe
2. Mwadzura Roy
3. Bonde Cornelius
U18 Boys
1. FM Ncube Sifiso
2. Jele Tapiwa
3. Goshomi Takudzwa
U20 Boys
1. Chimanya Greenwell
2. Nyoni Seaman
3. Mashiri Donald
U13 Girls
1. Zimbili Panashe
2. Mavhengere Monrone
3. Mapfumo Theresa
U14 Girls
1. Ruzani Hazel
2. Chekera Gamuchirayi
3. Juru Edith
U15 Girls
1. Murinda Kundai
2. Bene Irene
3. Ngibande Charlote
U16 Girls
1. Banda Shantel
2. Whande Ruwadzano
3. Dube Ropafadzo
U17 Girls
1. Moyo Phumuzile
2. Shumba Fadzai
3. Mguni Charlene
U18 Girls
1. Mahachi Mukai
2. Ncube Faith
3. Zivanomoyo Loveness
U20 Girls
1. Dzimba Marcia
2. Nomvelo Zikhali
3. Muzadzi Tendai
