ZIMBABWE chess players impressed after winning six gold medals, four silver and two bronze at the Botswana International Youths and Cadets Chess Championships which took place in Botswana last week.
This follows the recent success of the Zimbabwe Chess national teams at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Hungary last month.
Anesu Mutendi was the biggest winner in Botswana after scooping gold in the Open section and walked away with the 1 000 pula (US$75) overall tournament winner prize money.
Other athletes who won gold medals include Tariro Nota in the Under-8 girls section, Tadanaishe Safari (Under-10 boys, Tafadzwa Chitondo (Under-10 girls), Nilan Mukwekwe (Under-8 boys) and Eleanor Kagande (Under-16 girls)
Zimbabwe Chess Federation paid tribute to the team that flew the country’s flag with distinction.
“ZCF congratulates the outstanding performance in Botswana by the Zimbabwe chess players. ZCF is immensely proud of the section winners, medallists and every Zimbabwean player that participated at the Botswana International Youths and Cadets Chess Championships,” outgoing ZCF secretary-general Tood Mapingire said in a statement.
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“To those who didn’t receive medals, your dedication, teamwork and perseverance are deeply valued. You are essential to Zimbabwe Chess growth and success.
“We celebrate the entire delegation’s accomplishments. Those who did not win medals definitely won the experience to win future tournaments.”
Silver medallists include Shayne Makhurane (Under-8 boys), Arylyn Paul (Under-8 boys), Phoebe Mutamiri (Under-12 girls) and Gogoma Gamuchirai (Girls Open section).
Nokutenda Magodyo (Under-12 Girls) and Anotida Makumbe (Girls Open section) were the two bronze medallists.
From the FIDE-rated Open section, Mudaki Gerald was the top finisher among Under 18s, winning 250 pula (US$19) in the process. Meanwhile ZCF is set to host its elective annual general meeting at their Joina City offices on Saturday and Mapingire will be vying for the president’s post.