Own Reporter

THE reigning national champion Jemusse Zhemba and fellow Zimbabwe national teammate Linda Shaba dominated the Masvingo Grand Prix Chess Tournament played in Masvingo over the weekend.
The tournament saw over 60 participants registering from all over the country, with some coming from as far as Victoria Falls.
This event was organised as part of Zimbabwe Chess Federation’s goal of reviving chess after the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Grand Prix Tournaments are a series of competitions that are hosted in different provinces in order to spread the sport to all Zimbabweans. The last Grand Prix chess tournament was played almost six years ago and the success of this tournament signaled a great feat for the future of chess in the country.
Zhemba and Shaba were top among key names, which travelled for this event. They were joined by Tinashe Chinhanga and Delight Kagogoda and others from Harare.
Two of Bulawayo’s top players Tapiwa Jele and Blessing Moyo also travelled to join the fray. Victoria Falls was represented by the likes of Andile Ngwenya and Alpha Mathe.
Zhemba dominated the Open Category of the competition concluding the tournament undefeated with six victories and a draw. In close pursuit were the duo of Tinashe Chinhanga and Delight Kagogoda, who both hail from Chitungwiza, with 6/7 points.
This means Zhemba scooped the trophy and the gold medal, Chinhanga a silver medal, owing to a better tie breaker and Kagogoda had to settle for a bronze medal. In the Women’s Category Linda Shaba did not disappoint as the key favourite of tournament. She amassed six points in seven rounds from five wins and two draws.
Hazel Masango was in clear second position with 5,5 points. The Zivanomoyo sisters, Loveness and Takunda, from Masvingo, were tied on five points, with Loveness getting the bronze medal due to a stronger tie breaker. The event was sponsored by Regency, Flamboyant Hotel, Byword Motors and Radio Solutions, with a total prize fund of US$1 000.
Speaking at the event, the Zimbabwe Chess Federation, Masvingo provincial chairperson, Jerry Moyana, applauded the success of the event and expressed gratitude to the sponsors for coming forward to partner with chess in the province.
He implored more corporates to come forward and support chess, especially against the background of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In his speech, the ZCF acting president, Muchakanakirwa Mkanganwi, represented by his secretary general, Todd Mapingire, underscored the importance of such tournaments as it allows grassroots players in marginalised areas to rub shoulders with the best players in the country.
He also praised the Masvingo Province Chess administration for reviving the sport in Masvingo through organising frequent tournaments. He paid gratitude to the tournament sponsors and the partners of ZCF for their continued work towards uplifting chess, nationwide.
Meanwhile the guest of honour, Masvingo deputy provincial medical director, Dr Kudzai Masinire, gave US$20 each to the youngest and oldest players from his personal funds – 72-year-old Assaniel Chauke and Emmanuel Ziyambiso, (7).