ZIMBABWEAN chess player Christine Makwena won the Ladies Section of the Kansanshi Mine Open Chess Tournament in Zambia.
Makwena has once again demonstrated her exceptional chess skills by winning the 2023 edition of the Kansanshi Mine Open.
She effortlessly won the first four rounds but encountered challenging competition in the fifth and sixth rounds, where she drew with Luubuto Bwalya Mulwale and Natalie Katlo Banda. Despite the slowdown in her momentum, Makwena’s dominance throughout the tournament was unmistakable.
Makwena lost her only game in the tournament’s final round against Mary Mashane from Zambia. Despite this, she still won the tournament with an impressive score of 6 out of 8 games played.
The Kansashi Mine Open marked the end of Makwena’s 2023 season, which had its share of highs and lows.
“I was in Kimberley in September and lost, but I learned many things. I also played the Vic Falls Open and finished second. Moja Open was like a nightmare,” Makwena said.
According to Makwena, her most challenging opponents in 2023 were WIM Charlize Van Zyl and Dennis Bouah.
Zimbabwean chess veteran Spencer Masango also participated in the Open section of the Kansanshi Mine tournament. However, he faced tough competition and scored only 4.5 points out of 8 games.
