NORTON OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT was held on Sunday 02 September 2018. A first for the small town which has young promising players like Taurai Muzhingi and lady Linda Shaba.
Norton is a town in the province of Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe. It is located about 40 km west of Harare on the main road and railway line connecting Harare and Bulawayo. According to the 1982 Population Census, the town had a population of 12,360. This rose to 20,405 in the 1992 census 44,054 in the 2002 census, and 67,591 in the 2012 census. The settlement began in 1914 when a railway siding was built. The town was named after the Norton family who were farming in the area since the 1890s and were killed in the First Chimurenga in 1896. The town grew as an administrative and commercial hub in a rich agricultural area. It later developed into a key industrial centre due to its proximity to water and power supplies, with a main intake point from the Lake Kariba hydroelectric dam to the national grid located nearby. The construction of the nearby Lake Chivero dam provided a further boost to development.
Venue was St Eric High School, Norton.
Registration fee: Under 20 was Free..and Adults $2, quite a fair registration to promote the strategic game in the town.
*Tournament Schedule (02 September 2018) 
:*
*0900: Round 01*
*1000: Round 02*
*1100: Round 03*
*1200 — 1230*
*LUNCH BREAK*
*1230: Round 04*
*1330: Round 05*
*1430: Round 06*
*30 minutes Aside*
*1 hour per game*
*PRIZE STRUCTURE*:
*1. $25 position 1*
*2. $20 position 2*
*3. $15 position 3*
*4. $10 position 4*
*Best Under 16 $10*
*Best Under 12 $10*
*Best Under 8 $10*
*TOTAL AMOUNT BUDGETED FOR: $100* (Of course a small fund but good to kick start something and help to keep the youngsters busy..and identify talent!)
Vitalis Mapuranga (left) in pic below won the Norton Open jointly with Tapiwa Chikwavaire (in pic 2nd board right side) (both on 5.5/6!)…
.. 50 Players took part.
WINNERS AFTER 6 ROUNDS WERE:
*1.Vitalis Mapuranga*
*$23* (5.5pts)
*2.Tapiwa Chikwavaire*
*$23* (5.5pts)
*3.Roy Mwadzura*
*$15* (5pts)
*4.Cyril Chigodo*
*$3* (4.5pts)
*5.Elton Mhangarai*
*$3* (4.5pts)
*6.Simon Mujaji*
*$3* (4.5pts)
*Best Lady $12*
*Praise Sithole*
$4 (3pts)
*Talydine Chaparadza*
$4 (3pts)
*Nyarai Muponda*
$4 (3pts)
*Best Under 16*
*Daniel Marumbini*
*$10* (3.5pts)
*Best U12*
*Kuziva Mujaji*
*$8* (3pts)
The event was organized by Linda Shaba and team…a noble Lady initiative indeed and a first for Norton! Next year there will be another Norton town event…Well done Linda! Chess is now alive in the small town..!
