TAWANDA Mhako was crowned the Minerva Zimbabwe Open Chess Tournament Under-16 Development category winner with a perfect score of 6 in the six rounds played over four days.
The Minerva Zimbabwe Chess Open is the biggest event on the local chess calendar hosted by the Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF). They continue developing future stars and making them tournament ready through the development category.
The development section of the Minerva Zimbabwe Open Chess tournament had over 60 participants, with the youngest being six-year-old Tawonaishe Chimboza.
However, no one could stop Mhako from claiming his maiden title in any chess event he had ever participated in. He claimed the gold medal, US$30, trophy, chess set, certificate, necktie, and stationery pack.
The confident speaking Kutama College student, Mhako, told EnterSportNews that he was just happy that he managed to finish the job, especially with the chasing pack trailing him by just one point.
“It was a tough tournament, but I managed to win all my six games,” he said.
“From the fifth round to the sixth, I was under even more pressure because the chasing pack was trailing me by just one point. One slip up for me meant that I wouldn’t win the gold medal.
“Luckily, I managed to win with a perfect 6 out of 6. This is great because I had never won a Zimbabwe Open Junior Category or any tournament. This is really a big achievement for me.”
Mhako was not only representing himself but his school as well.
“I wasn’t only representing myself and my school, Kutama College, and I know they are proud that I won the gold,” said Mhako.
In victory, he remained humble and paid tribute to the players he played against during the Minerva Zimbabwe Open Development section 2022.
“I played Learnmore Sichoni, and he gave me the toughest match of the tournament,” he added.
“Ronald Chotakunye and Danmore Mashava were some of the players that gave me a good run and some players to look out for in the future. Mashava is only 13. By the time he gets to 16, he will be an outstanding player, and by the age of 20, he will become one of Zimbabwe’s top players.”
Mhako is grateful to the title sponsors of the Open tournament, Minerva. He wants to emulate some of his local heroes by winning regional and international tournaments with their continued sponsorship.
“I am truly grateful to Minerva for giving us the opportunity as budding chess players,” he said. “In the not too distant future, I want to become a Grandmaster. I get my inspiration from local greats such IM Rodwell Makoto, Emerald Mushore, another top seed from the country, Vitalis Mapuranga, and my coach, Farai Hamandishe, as I interact with them more, and I really learn a lot from them.”
PRIZE LIST
1 Mhako Tawanda 6 US$ 30, Trophy, Chess Set, Gold Medal, Certificate, Tie, Stationery Pack
2 Sichoni Learnmore 5 US$ 20, Silver Medal, Chess Set, Tie, Stationery Pack
3 Chotakunye Ronald 5 US$10, Bronze Medal, Chess Set, Certificate, Tie, Stationery Pack
4 Fazilahamed Craig 5 Certificate, Tie, Stationery Pack
5 Mashava Danmore 5 Certificate, Tie, Stationery Pack
6 Duncan Mahata Certificate, Tie, Stationery Pack
7 Blessed Gore Certificate, Tie, Stationery Pack
8 Tafadzwa Muriro Certificate, Tie, StationeryPack
9 Antonio Vonn Certificate, Tie, Stationery Pack
10 Kudzaishe Chindiya Certificate, Tie, Stationery Pack
Youngest Player – Tawonaishe Chimboza
Best U8 Boy- Munashe Mucherere
Best U8 Girl- Anashe Gandawa
Best U10 Boy – Otis Hlatywayo
Best U10 Girl- Tanatswa Mabhiza
Best U12 Boy – Danmore Mashava
Best U12 Girl- Nadia Mupetura
Best U14 Boy –Antonio Vonn
Best U14 Girl- Mhungu Matifadze
