eBusiness Weekly
Chipo Sabeta
A 17-year-old chess wizard, Leeroy Mpala, is set to represent Africa at the World Amateur Individual Chess Championships in Mexico from April 23-29 this year after winning the African Amateurs Individual Chess Championships in Windhoek over the weekend.
The World Amateur Chess Championship is a tournament organised by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) intended to promote amateur chess play by holding championship tournaments linked to the Olympic Games.
The Kwekwe-based teenager, clinched gold and walked away with a trophy, US$425 and a ticket to Mexico for the world fiesta.
In Namibia, Mpala played nine rounds (nine games) against nine different players from around Africa and scored 7 /9 points.
Mpala, a student at Willenita School of Chess club, who completed O-Level last year at Camelot High School, will not only represent Zimbabwe but Africa.
His coach, Wilfred Leeroy Sithole, said Mpala was confirmed as the official representative of the country after the win and is confident that the boy will make it at an international stage.
Sithole and his wife Enita, who are the brains behind Willenita School of Chess in Kwekwe, believe the kid will scoop a medal in Mexico.
“We have been having intensive training and I believe it has been productive,” said Sithole.
“He will not be representing Zimbabwe, but Africa at large because he won a continental accolade. Mpala was chosen by the Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) as the official player for the country in the U-17 rating section.”
“It is going to be the first time for this kid competing in such a top event, but I believe he has what it takes to triumph. He just has to be confident, go out there and show the world how good he is and show them what he can do.”
Sithole added: “Mpala is an exceptionally talented player and I expect a medal from him. He has shown his ability to his mates in Namibia; now is the time to show that to the world. I believe he will raise the country’s flag high.”
ZCF vice president Clive Mphambela, said it was refreshing to see young chess players making names for themselves globally before he highlighted the need for development at grassroot level.
“We are very proud of him. He has done his school, club and country very proud.
“This performance not only demonstrates that Zimbabwe Chess is not only coming of age, but is also developing rapidly. We are keen on grassroot development and we want to appreciate Willenita School of Chess among other clubs for positive influence in our society,” Mphambela said.
ZCF are riding high after hosting Zimbabwe Chess Open that attracted over 200 participants locally and internationally.
Fourteen-year-old chess wizard, Relifoe Mudodo, was crowned winner in the ladies section after a pulsating performance over eight rounds at the event.
International Master Providence Oatholtse from Botswana and International master Gillian Bwalya were joint winners in the open category.
The event had a total prize fund pool of US$2 000 payable in hard currency plus $4 100 pool payable in bond notes making it the largest event on the Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) calendar in 2018.
ZCF also take pride after sending ten chess players, two captains and two officials to Georgia’s Black Sea Batumi, for the 43rd World Chess Olympiad in October last year.
