DEFENDING Champion Emarald Mushore and Christine Makwena won the Easter Open and Ladies categories respectively at the Flamboyant Hotel in Masvingo over the weekend.
Mushore defended his crown in the Open category, securing victory in the 9-round event with an impressive 7.5 points. His only concession came in the final round against Blessing Moyo.
The tournament boasted a strong field of 47 participants, including top players like FIDE Master Jemusse Zhemba and International Master Kudzanai Mamombe.
Hamilton Mandeya secured the second position with 7 points, while Blessing Moyo, Archiford Matirange, Tapiwa Jele, and Mugove Muririma shared third place with 6.5 points each.
Christine Makwena, dominated the Ladies section of the tournament with an undefeated streak, scoring 8 points throughout. Notably, she held draws with top seeds Linda Shaba and Tatenda Zengeni in the fourth and fifth rounds.
Makwena’s stellar performance adds to her recent success, having been crowned the Queens’ Online Chess Festival 2024 champion. Her success in chess has been impressive, with past victories in tournaments throughout Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Three players, Linda Shaba, Colleta Wakuruwarehwa, and Tatenda Zengeni, tied for second place in the Ladies section with 6.5 points each.
The tournament followed a time format of 60 minutes per player, with a 10-second increment, and it was overseen by International Arbiter Simbarashe Murimi and FIDE Arbiter James Vhezha and supported by the Zimbabwe Chess Federation in partnership with Regency Flamboyant Hotel and Kwa Jerry Kunyama.
