Schools prodigies shine at Zone 7 qualifiers

Ongwediva’s Oshana Gymnasium was the battlefield for 87 chess players who showcased their strategic brilliance at the Namibia Chess Federation’s (NCF) Bank Windhoek Zone 7 School Chess Individual Championships qualifiers last weekend.

Chess prodigies from Maurits Devenish Private School, Cabatana Private School, Gabriel Taapopi Secondary School, Rhodes Private School and Leer Speel, among others in the Oshana Region, competed in the one-day, seven-round Swiss System competition.

The tournament determined the top three players in each age category who will advance to the national school chess individual championship scheduled for 21 February.

The national champions will then represent the country at the World School Chess Championship in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia, from 19 to 29 March, and later at the Africa Schools Chess Championship in Mombasa, Kenya, from 22 to 29 May.



U19 qualifiers

In the under-19 boys’ category, Johannes Hendrik Greyling emerged as the top qualifier with an impeccable score of seven out of seven points. Jones Shiningayamwe secured second place with 5.5 points, while Wilbard Enkala took third with four.



U15 qualifiers

Among the under-15 girls, Eunice Chembe claimed first place with four points. Selma Katali followed closely in second place with 3.5 points, and Azra Rahman completed the podium in third place with three points.

Cyril Dumbura edged the win in the under-15 boys’ section, securing first place with five points. David Kandenge finished second with four points, while Nokutenda Chimedza clinched third place with 3.5.



U13 qualifiers

Mariska Greyling reigned supreme in the under-13 girls’ category, winning all her matches to claim first place with an impeccable score of seven points. Emma Nghishilenapo and Penombili Kandjala both finished with three points, earning second and third places, respectively.

The under-13 boys’ section saw Anthony Msati take the top spot with five points. Gama Amupolo and Salem Elmsllati also finished with five points, securing second and third places based on tiebreaker criteria.



U11 qualifiers

In the under-11 girls’ division, Jayda Migadde secured first place with three points, while Linda Shilongo finished second with 2.5 points.

For the under-11 boys, Erick Festus took top honours with a dominant 6.5 points. Jonah Kamati (second) and Ian Chembe (third) both scored 5.5.



U9 qualifiers

Elina Shikodhi dominated the under-9 girls’ category, finishing in first place with six points. Kaliza Gianna Muramira and Alice Lum Ndofor shared the second place with five each, while Ndapanda Katali came in third with four points.

In the under-9 boys’ division, Tomas Matias claimed victory with 5.5 points. Kutendeka Chimedza followed in second place with five points, while Ashwin Msati secured third with 4.5.



U7 qualifiers

Meanwhile, in the under-7 boys’ section, Clement Michael Ndofor led the pack with 4.5 points. Liam Migadde and Joshua Igabe Muramira both finished with 3.5, taking second and third places, respectively.

Speaking to Sport Wrap, Zone 7 chairperson Anna Chembe said the competition saw one of the largest turnouts despite being held in the early months of the year.

“We had five players in the under-7 category, which is a clear indication of chess’ growth and parents' interest in helping their children develop critical thinking skills through the game.

“Additionally, the tournament provides an ideal environment for children to test their minds in competition while interacting with peers from diverse backgrounds and nationalities,” Chembe said.

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