WITH only five matches remaining in the season, the 2024 Harare Pro-Chess League title race appears set to be decided in the final stretch.
The leading three teams are separated by merely a few points each, following 17 weeks of intense competition.
The Chitown Masters, currently in first place, hold a two-point lead over the second-placed Harare City Chess Club, which is just one point ahead of the Waterfalls Chess Club.
2023 Champions Harare City Chess Club slipped to second place after this weekend’s defeat to Waterfalls Chess Club. In a thrilling Week 17 fixture Waterfalls collected three and half of the possible six-game points available to seal a much-coveted match point.
Hungary Olympiad-bound Fide Master (FM) Roy Mwadzura defeated Emarald Takudzwa Mushore on Board 1.
Blessing Moyo put Elisha Chimbamu to the sword on Board 3 to secure the only other win for Waterfalls. Harare City’s only win in the fixture came through newly signed Ian Mashumba who defeated Innocent Zinhu on Board 6.
The intensity of the match was evident as the other three games all ended in draws. Vitalis Mapuranga split the points with Chivinda Dee on Board 2, while Bismark Bhobhojani settled for a draw with Tinashe Chinanga on Board 4.
Similarly, Pledge Kwaramba secured a draw against Farai Hamandishe on Board 5.
Meanwhile, Chitown Masters Chess Club edged Harare Polytechnic Chess Club 4-2 to climb to the top of the table. The Masters continue to be inspired by Delight Kagogoda’s undefeated run since the start of the season.
TOP OF THE TABLE NEXT 5 FIXTURES
| CHITOWN MASTERS | HARARE CITY CHESS CLUB | WATERFALLS CHESS CLUB |
| Belvedere Free Piece | Minerva Chess Club | Academy B |
| Harare City Chess Club | Chitown Masters | Asante Mufakose |
| Academy B | Harare Chess Academy | Minerva Chess Club |
| Waterfalls Chess Club | Mhondoro Chess Club | Chitown Masters Chess Club |
| Minerva Chess Club | Knights Chess Academy Zim | Harare Chess Academy |
Chitown remains with the most difficult road to the line as they have yet to face both Waterfalls and Harare City.
Waterfalls eased immense pressure by defeating the Citizens but must remain cautious and vigilant as they face tricky Asante Mufakose in Week 19 and Chitown in Week 21.
As the season progresses, every match will be crucial in determining the ultimate champion.
