Tavonga Dambamuromo put up a scintillating performance over the weekend to come first in the senior players’ pool with unbeaten 6 games.
It was a hive of activity in Highfield as Knights Chess Academy of Zimbabwe (KCAZ) hosted a two- day chess tournament for Under 8, Under 10, Under 12, Under 14,Under 16,Under 18 and Under 20 both girls and boys in Highfield.
The Under 10 to Under 14 played in one pool whilst the Under 16 to Under 20 played in another pool. After the games, overall winners were selected and each age group had its own winners.
KCAZ founder and tournament organizer John Chibvuri said his aim is to bring the sport of chess into high-density areas. He emulated his superiors for instance the late Charles Chiyangwa who had Glen-Norah Gunners at Glen- Norah Hall and which produced starts like himself, IM Robert Gwaze, IM Spencer Masango and also Tendai Chisiri who is an avid sports writer.
“We used to have monthly tournaments here in Highfield but because of Civid-19 we shelved them out”, he said. “Our goal as an organization is to bring the game of chess in the high-density areas so that kids from the ghetto and other areas do healthy competition as a way to develop extra- curriculum activities’, he added.
Lawrence Tavagwisa, a FIDE Instructor and was the chief arbiter at the tournament said the tournament was a good preparation for the Zim Open chess tournament to be played at Joina City from 18-21 this month.
Edith Muyambiri, the only girl in the senior poll had a good performance as she won 3 games, drew 1 and lost 2 after battling it out against boys in the Under 16, Under 18 and under 20.
A 17- year- old Christ Ministries lower sixth student started playing chess when she was in Grade 7.” Chess helps me a lot in maths. I was bad in maths and am now good as I also do Physics and Chemistry. It also opens doors for me for socialization”, she said. She was overall fourth tied to Tendai Nyamuronda.
Tavonga Dambamuromo came first overall in the senior players’’ pool and first in the Under 18 age group.. He was left elated by winning the gold medal.” I am very much excited to win the competition which had good players. I hope to play for Zimbabwe in future’, he said.
The Harare High lower sixth student said it is his first time to come first after he finished third at J Mawere Memorial tournament in Kwekwe in November.
Mrs Chimboza a parent helped with 100 bottles on the humid days for participants and everyone at the tournament.
THE MEDAL WINNERS IN EACH AGE GROUP
U8 Winners:
Boys
Gold: Tinodaishe Utete (Tiny Tots Primary) Silver: Bryce Mavedze (Tiny Tots Primary) Bronze: Taonanyasha Chimboza (Gateway Primary grade 1 next year)
Girls
Gold: Tinevimbo Chimboza (Gateway Primary) Silver: Larissa Matereke (Queensdale Primary)
U10 Winners:
Boys
Gold:Theo Chimombe (Tashinga Primary) Silver: Tendai Hlatywayo (Houghton Park Primary) Bronze: Simbarashe Munemo (Tiny Tots Primary)
Girls
Gold: Nicole Chibvuri (Shiriyedenga Primary) Silver: Natalia Timothy (Tiny Tots Primary) Bronze: Chiedza Gonyora (Tiny Tots Primary)
U12 Winners:
Boys Gold: John Jnr Chibvuri (Shiriyedenga Primary) Silver: Malcolm Tsuro (Zuvarabuda Primary) Bronze: Anotida Muzembe (Lewisam Primary)
Girls
Gold: Tanyaradzwa Pasipanodya (Zuvarabuda Primary) Silver: Karen Mukobo (Tiny Tots Primary)
U14 Winners:
Boys
Gold:Lennon Matereke (Queensdale Primary)
Girls
Gold: Latoya Matereke (Queensdale Primary)
U16 Winners: Christian Enerst Nyatsambo (Mabvuku High School)
U18 Winners:
Boys
Gold: Tavonga Dambamuromo (Harare High School) Silver: Munyaradzi Zambuko (Mufakose 1 High) Bronze: Nigel Benjamin Chilamba (Best Choice College)
Girls Gold: Edith Muyambiri (Christ Ministries High School)
U20 Winners:
Boys
Gold: Simbarashe Godknows Nyagona Silver: Benson Mashanyare (Midlands State University)Bronze:Tendai Nyamuronda
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