Chess stars qualify for champs

Ten men and eight women players have qualified for the National Closed Chess Championship to be held in May.This follows a nine-round qualifying tournament held in Windhoek from 18 to 21 March.“This is a new format we're trying out and pits the best against the best,” NCF spokesman Bruce Nyazika said.“All the players are excited about the new make-up as it brings the best out of them. There are no more so-called easy games.”The historic group will battle it out in an all-play-all competition. They received ties with the wording '2017 Chess Maestro', distinguishing them from the rest of the chess players. Each player will receive an appearance fee at the Closed Championship. National champion CM Charles Eichab won the men's section ahead of FM Dante Beukes, with Goodwill Khoa claiming third place. The rest of the players are Max Nitzborn, William Kamberipa, Clarence Campbell, Toivo Nangula, Jossy Uapingene, Sanders Oberholzer and Matjiua Kajovi. In the women's section, national champion CM Lishen Mentile scored a perfect nine wins from nine games, with Kamutuua Tjatindi and Patience Tsuses claiming second and third place respectively.Unlike their male counterparts, only eight women were chosen. The rest of the group consists of Keisha van Wyk, Taisha Uiras, Penandjambi Tjipueja, Lure Horn and Jamie-Nicole Beukes. NCF president Otto Nakapunda assumed the role of FIDE arbiter for both tournaments, which enabled the event to be FIDE rated.“We have finally reached our destination with regard to getting ratings.“All players who took part now have FIDE IDs and they will all get ratings. Even our local ratings system is now functional,” said NCF ratings officer Max Nitzborn.The NCF local rating list will be published at the beginning of each month.Dante Wins Independence Blitz Exciting youngster FM Dante Beukes won the Independence Blitz held at Unam last month. The 14-year-old scored a flawless nine wins from as many games for his first triumph at this event. He received N$800 and a trophy for his efforts.Second place was a tie between Tawanda Kawami and Christopher Ndoroma.They both scored six and a half and therefore shared the money. Each player received N$550.Applying the Bucholz tie-break, Kawami took silver with Ndoroma settling for bronze.The Best Girl trophy and N$300 went to Keisha van Wyk with Beukes taking home the Best Junior award (and N$300) for his second prize for the day. All winners received N$200 vouchers each sponsored by StreetHouse. Ellie Otchoumou and Lilian Jansen won two lucky vouchers. A total of 34 players entered the event.“Despite the lower-than-expected turnout, we're pleased to also have this tournament rated, both locally and at FIDE level. This is a historic first for the country,” said NCF treasurer Borro Ndungula. SPORT REPORTER

Chess stars qualify for champs

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-04-10

Please login to leave a comment

Chess stars qualify for champs

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-04-10

Please login to leave a comment

Login