The Zambian International Master won the Zim Open event in scintilating fashion! His dazzling performance of 8/8 in Zimbabwe’s top chess event shows he is one of the best not only in Zambia but in sub-Suharan Africa. Zambia has repeatedly produced players of great talent. GM Amon Simutowe of Ndola, Zambia, is one of the greatest talents ever produced in Africa. In recent years Zambia’s heavyweights have been dominating our local events. This time Jere came and extirpated our local players.His English Opening proved to be invincible and superior. It reminds me of his dominance in the 2016 Millionaire Chess Satellite (Johannesburg, S. Africa) in July were he won the Millionaire Open Satellite in thrilling fashion. The English opening was one of his powerful weapons dismissing tough competition from Zimbabwean IM Rodwell Makoto (drew) and thwacking IM Ryan Van Rensburg (SA) with it in this July event.
On the social media his fans wrote: " Congrats to the Mighty Daniel Jere for winning the Zimbabwe Open tourney, you have made Zambia proud…Keep the flame burning! Wish you could reach soon the GM title so that you can be the second Zambian GM after Amon Simutowe…Bravo" (Lazzy)…Others went on "Huge Congratulations to Daniel Jere!! The most consistent IM in tournament play!!" (Othims).
In the 8th and last round the IM on the black side of the d4 system buffeted the Chitungwiza based and talented kid Vitalis Mapuranga on board one to seal the Zim Open win with a 100% performance. On the next board Spencer Masango (6.5/8) who came joint second dismissed Zhemba’s dangerous jellyfish stinging aggression proving himself to be a very solid player. Munashe Ziome another joint second winner triumped over fellow Chitungwiza crony young Tapiwa Chikwavaire to finish at 6.5pts. Terrence Mukovhiya now a heavyweight due his superb consistency drew Emarald Mushore on board 4 and came joint 4th with 6pts. Elisha Chimbamu mauled Peter Moyo on board 5 to sit at joint 4th with 6/8. Other joint 4th winners are: Zhemba Jemusse, Vitalis Mapuranga, Sifiso Ncube, Panashe Chimbwanda and Michael Musekiwa all at 6/8.
Best Lady was the UZ Medicine student Valentine Pasipanodya with 5pts and 2nd best was Linda Shaba followed by Zambian Eppah Tembo wife to IM Daniel Jere. Best Scholar was Panashe Chimbwanda and 2nd best Vincent Mabodongwa.
The top Zimbabwean Chess event was run and organized by the Zimbabwe Chess Federation with Elton Mhangarai, Ivan Chivese, Clive Mphambela and Toby doing a very good job. Venue was the traditional POSB Causeway Bank Building and time control was 60min aside.
All Prize Winners:
1st: Daniel Jere $400
2nd (joint): Munashe Ziome $250
: Spencer Masango $250
4th (joint) : Terrence Mukovhiya $80
: Zhemba Jemusse $80
: Vitalis Mapuranga $80
: Sifiso Ncube $80
: Panashe Chimbwanda $80
: Elisha Chimbamu $80
Michael Musekiwa $80
Best Lady: Valentine Pasipanodya $100
2nd Best Lady: Liinda Shaba $25
: Eppah Tembo $25
Best Scholar: Panashe Chimbwanda $50
2nd Best Scholar: Vincent Mabodongwa $20
Best U14: Collins Mabodongwa $30
2nd Best U14: Adolf Muungani $20
Best U12: John Chibvuri Jnr $20
2nd Best U12: Tinaye Madamombe $10
Youngest Player: Anotidaishe Madamombe (6) $10
ZIMBABWE OPEN 2017
Top 20 Final ranking
Rank SNo. Name Rtg FED Pts BH.
1 1 JERE DANIEL 2376 ZIM 8 39½
2 8 ZIOME MUNASHE 1944 ZIM 6½ 40½
3 2 MASANGO SPENCER 2198 ZIM 6½ 39½
4 69 MUKOVHIYA TERRENCE 2005 ZIM 6 45
5 7 JEMUSSE ZHEMBA 2035 ZIM 6 42½
6 57 MAPURANGA VITALIS 0 ZIM 6 42
7 11 NCUBE SIFISO 1905 ZIM 6 37½
8 14 CHIMBWANDA PANASHE 1786 ZIM 6 37
9 4 CHIMBAMU ELISHA 2130 ZIM 6 36½
10 71 MUSEKIWA MICHAEL 0 ZIM 6 33½
11 76 MWADZURA ROY 0 ZIM 5½ 44½
12 3 MUSHORE EMARALD 2170 ZIM 5½ 44
13 33 DAPETHA PRINCE 0 ZIM 5½ 39
14 79 PWERE CHARLES 0 ZIM 5½ 38½
15 27 CHIKWAVAIRE TAPIWA 0 ZIM 5½ 38½
16 86 TAVAGWISA LAWRENCE 0 ZIM 5½ 37½
17 31 CHINYAMA DONALD 0 ZIM 5½ 37½
18 89 TIGERE WALTER 0 ZIM 5 38½
19 67 MPOFU MERIT 0 ZIM 5 37
20 48 MABODONGWA VINCENT 0 ZIM 5 37
(Note: 96 players took part)
