Former National Champion FIDE Master (FM) Jemusse Zhemba won the JR Mawere Memorial Open tournament with a strong performance.
The nine-round event took place over three days in Kwekwe, concluding on Sunday. The former national champion scored an impressive 8/9 points to claim victory.
FM Zhemba’s tournament victory was a redemption of sorts, as he had struggled in his recent events, including failing to defend his title at the CBZ National Championships.
However, the FM Zhemba showed his class in Kwekwe, navigating a field of considerable strength to secure the top prize.
Zhemba’s campaign featured a key victory over Tinashe Chinhanga in the fifth round, as well as draws against second-placed finisher Roy Mwadzura and fifth-placed Mugove Muririma.
Veteran player Spencer Masango also had a strong tournament, scoring 7 points to finish third.
The fourth position went to Donald Mbondo, who defeated formidable opponents like Bismarck Bhobhojani and Masango along the way.
In the ladies section, National Ladies Champion Christine Makwena continued her winning ways, scoring an unbeaten 7.5 points with six wins and three draws.
Behind Makwena, Women Candidate Master (WCM) Refiloe Mudodo, Linda Shaba, Tatenda Ndou, and Isabel Masawi all scored 7 points, with Mudodo taking second place on tiebreaks.
Shaba finished third, followed by Ndou in fourth and Masawi in fifth.
The event was supervised by Chief Arbiter International Arbiter (IA) Simbarashe Murimi, with Blessing Jemani serving as tournament director. National Arbiters Moses Shumba and Lawrence Tavagwisa assisted in the officiating duties.
