The Ever Industrious Spencer Masango Wins It…Zim Open 2019!

The top seed (elo rating 2181) completed the Italian job candidly. He only had a minor setback in the forth round when his flag fell (in the game in pic.. as the endgame ensued, the opponent offered a draw in time scramble and there was no response); against the eximiously improving Ian Mashumba the winner of Knights Open earlier in May 2019. After that unfortunate game he acted a wounded lion as he grandiloquently dismissed his opponents. Over 140 players took part in the Open Section at the traditional Causeway POSB Building in Harare from Saturday to Monday (21-23 Dec 2019). A young and a very diligent player Chitungwiza based Tapiwa Chikwavaire (elo 1993 and 6th seeded) had his splendid performance reverberate again in the local chess community; he was tied on first place with Spencer on 7/8! The consistent National Team player and the eventual winner had a higher bucholtz. In the last three rounds Spencer faced interminable competition from; Taurai Muzhingi (1747), Mugove Muririma (1959), and the ever blazingly in form Roy Mwadzura (2015). It is important here to acknowledge the great tournament that Roy had! This was actually Mwadzura’s tournament until the last round nightmare. On board 1 Spencer was on 6 points, and Roy 6.5 points. A truce was enough for Roy to clinch the Zim Open event. Instead he wanted to go for the head! This bravery was as a result of his earlier fine run; intrepidly chicaning; Evans Kujinga, Tinashe Chikerema, Washe Bare, Tinei Munenzva (1824), Ian Mashumba (1820), Elisha Chimbamu (1980), drew Vitalis Mapuranga (2037) in the 6th round. In the all important final battle vs Spencer missed some important tactical blows..and things turned nightmarishly when his King was left exposed under time pressure. And Spencer picked up a full point after; Queening, gaining a full Rook; pushing the enemy King in a corner. Had the ‘King’ agreed to an earlier draw request he would have escaped unscathed. Consequently Roy was tied on second place (6.5pts) with; Elisha Chimbamu, Cyril Chigodo (a giant on the online Li Chess platform!), and Tapiwa Gora. The current Zimbabwe Champion Zhemba Jemusse (2174) had his asphyxiating upset in the third round of the big event. Adolf Muungani (1717) on the Black side became an overnight hero after his surprise victory. Later on the hard to beat Champ faced; in the 6th round Lameck Gomera (1813), Tapiwa Gora (1869) in the 8th round; both games where draws dropping some crucial points for the 2nd seed of the tournament. Zhemba had to settle for a 10 player tier with 6 points; in their order; Vitalis Mapuranga, Mugove Muririma, Shingai Magazine (the Knights Academy Captain!), Zhemba, Hardwork Sithole, Tinodaishe Tayengwa, Taurai Muzhingi, Tanaka Katsande (also got best Scholar Prize), Kudakwashe Sibanda (Bulawayo based), Gilbert Shoniwa. The main prizes in the Open Section ended on 6 points. The prize fund for the tournament was good. The updated Prize Structure on the day of the event was; Open Section, 1st Z$4250, 2nd $3400, 3rd $2550 (going up to 10th place). LADIES; Z$3400, $2550, $1700 (up to 10th place). Total Prize Fund was $32 290. With Special Prizes that included; Best Scholar $400, & 2nd Best; Best U13, & 2nd Best; Best Over 50, & 2nd Best; Best Disabled e.t.c There was also incessant fireworks in the Ladies Section with 25 players battling in chivalrous fashion. The ‘Silent Assasin’ Christine Makwena had an impeccable tournament! She was clear first with 7.5points over 8. Only three words for her; that was pugnacious! Joint second was; Linda Shaba, Kudzanayi Charinda (top seed) settling for 6pts…a distant 2nd place indeed. On forth place Paidaishe Zengeni accumulating 5.5pts. There was a four way tie on 5th place; Melissa Tatenda Zengeni, Isabel Masawi, Linah Nyakunya, Nokutenda Chirau all on 5pts. Well done to all the winners…! The new incoming Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) President Dr Collen Tongoona gave great thanks to all those who turned out for the successful event;.. all who worked tirelessly to make it a memorable one. Also the juniors’ great competitiveness and their presence. The parents who accompanied the youngsters for their great support…they deserve some free refreshments next time! On the Social Media…Zimbabwe Chess Federation (@ChessZimbabwe) Tweeted: Zimbabwe Hosted the biggest Chess event in Zimbabwe history with more than 160 participants and more than 40 rated players! The tournament was proudly sponsored by @AfricaChessConf and @FIDE_chess. National team player Spensor Masango emerged winner! @KirstyCoventry @ZimbabweSrc t.co/ 7s8NOA6FbV https://twitter.com/ChessZimbabwe/status/ 1209351264166973441?s=20 A new and exciting 2020 Chess Calender was announced; Grand Prix events series (five) starting in March (Mutare); ending in Harare end of year. Also being prioritized are the juniors; National events for U10 and other juniors to look foward to..Chess League support, Social Chess, Chess Fun Day were also mentioned. The Zim Open 2019 event under the new leadership with the main motto “rebuilding chess together” was held at POSB Causeway Building in Harare’s CBD. It was a three day event; Sat 21 – Mon 23 December 2019.