THE fall of top players marked the start of The 2023 Minerva International Open Chess Tournament, with defending champion IM Gillan Bwalya, losing in round one by default.
Round two continued to disrupt expectations, with a flurry of upsets at the tournament currently underway at Joina City in Harare.
In a startling turn of events, Zimbabwe’s FM Jemusse Zhemba made a significant blunder against Ishmael Sibanda. Zhemba’s aggressive advance of his black king into enemy territory on move 28 proved to be a misstep that transformed what seemed like a drawish game into a clear victory for Sibanda.
South Africa’s FM Banele Mhango met a similar fate against the lowly-rated Collen Chikwature, underscoring the unpredictability of the tournament. FM Joseph Mwale of Malawi was not immune to the tide of upsets either, losing to an underdog, Gilbert Shonhiwa, who masterfully trapped Mwale’s queen during the middle game.
However, following the nail-biting rounds, three Zambians are leading the pack. Geofrey Luanja, ranked 8th, has emerged as the current leader, with FM Douglas Munenga and FM Lungu Nashe following closely behind, all boasting perfect scores. Zimbabwe’s FM Roy Mwadzura and Tapiwa Jele are hot on their heels, each with a respectable score of three points.
South Africa’s WIM Anzel Laubscher is the player to beat in the Women’s section of the 2023 Minerva International Open Chess Tournament, boasting a perfect score after three rounds.
Hot on her heels are WCM Hazel Mudodo, WCM Kudzanayi Charinda, Christine Mukwena, and Linda Shaba, all with solid scores of three points. These players are maintaining Zimbabwe’s strong presence in the tournament, keeping the pressure on Laubscher.
The fourth round promises to turn up the heat even further. WCM Charinda is set to face off against WCM Mudodo in what promises to be an intense match. Another pair to watch is Shaba versus Mukwena. Both players have shown great form so far, and their clash will certainly be one encounter to watch.
The most anticipated game, however, is between the current leader, WIM Laubscher and the formidable Colleta Wakuruwarewa. This match could disrupt the current standings, adding another layer of excitement to the competition.
Approaching halfway, every move is crucial and could change the leaderboard. More to follow…
