The Harare Professional Chess League has reached a crucial stage, and Round 10 featured an exciting match between the in-form Chitown Masters and the resurgent Waterfalls Chess Club.
This titanic battle pitted two of the frontrunners for the league title against each other.
Chitown Masters, who had previously enjoyed a blistering start to their league campaign, suffered their first defeat.
Brimming with confidence and raring to go, the team was outmatched by their Waterfalls.
On the top board, Tanaka Katsande was held to a draw by Fide Master (FM) Roy Mwadzura, while Shingirai Chiweshe lost against the wily Heath Darare on Board 2.
However, Chitown did manage to strike back, with Mugove Muririma outmanoeuvring Keith Mhizha on Board 3.
The show’s real star, though, was Delight Kagogoda, who sprung a surprise by defeating the highly rated Blessing Moyo on Board 4.
Alas, it was not enough to turn the tide, as Bismarck Bhobhojani and Innocent Zinhu secured wins for Waterfalls on Boards 5 and 6, respectively, to hand them a narrow 3.5-2.5 victory.
In the league, Asante Chess Club continued their dominant run, whitewashing Minerva 6-0 in a clash with Harare Chess Academy’s teams. In a keenly contested affair, the B-team won 3-0 against their counterparts.
Mhondoro Chess Club’s bid to topple the defending champions, Harare City, fell short as they succumbed to a 4-2 defeat. However, the day was not without its bright spots, as WCM Kudzanayi Charinda secured a crucial win for her side.
