The international chess federation (Fide) executives held the first online Chess Olympiad in July and August. Covid-19 brought some innovation in the chess circles. National teams took some time to play virtually against each other in the gruelling games of repute, which had different divisions depending on their initial rankings based on the previous Chess Olympiads held in Batumi, Georgia. Zimbabwe was the only African country in their group, which had the finalists and the gold medallists India.
They shared spoils with Russia after the Fide president’s intervention after there was a technical fault on the main server. This was pool A which Zimbabwe shared with India, China, Germany, Iran, Mongolia, Georgia, Indonesia, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
Zimbabwe only managed one and a half points in this star-studded field.
There was a commendable performance by individual players like Linda Shaba, in a drawn game with Ukraine. Farai Hamandishe also drew a pulsating game, and so did Woman Candidate Master Christine Makwena, the other player who earned half a point to complete the number of draws which Zimbabwean players got.
Team Zimbabwe comprised the following players: Roy Mwadzura on board one, Cyril Chigodo, FM Farai Hamandishe, Kudakwashe Sibanda, Leeroy Mpala, and Vitalis Mapuranga in the men’s category. The ladies category consisted of Linda Shaba, Woman Candidate Master Kudzanai Charinda, Woman Fide Master Refiloe Mudodo, WCM Rumbidzai Mawire, and WCM Christine Makwena.
A youthful side was fielded in the absence of International Masters Robert Gwaze, Farai Mandizha, Rodwell Makoto, Elisha Chimbamu, Elisha Thabo, Spencer Masango, and CM Emarald Mushore who have seen it all when it comes to Olympiad chess experiences.
For the team, it was rather a tough division in which they participated, especially after Zimbabwe’s sterling performance in Batumi, Georgia, where they were the second best-placed African team after Egypt.
Fide’s format this time was different from the one used in Batumi and Baku Chess Olympiads. This was a rapid chess online tournament, the first of its own kind in which players had to play the games in their countries’ comfort virtually. Each team was supposed to have six players comprising of two senior male players, two senior female players, and two junior players.
For most of the players, it was the first time to represent their country at this prestigious stage, and hence a lot of lessons were learnt. One of the players who took part is Woman Candidate Master Rumbidzai Mawire postulated that: “The tournament was a good learning experience for me. I felt honoured to be able to participate in such an event for the first time. The games were quite challenging so were our opponents, but I enjoyed playing and gaining new experience. Of course, I did not expect to win, or even come out at the top, as our team was placed in a tough division. I managed to play and did my best.” The Dominican Convent learner has a lot of potential, so does her compatriot WFM Refiloe Mudodo, who schools at Nyatsime College. Leeroy Mpala is another young player, an under 20 boy who took part in this tournament and stated almost the same sentiments regarding performance.
Farai Hamandishe, another under 20 player, gave all his effort and managed to snatch a draw against a fancied player titled in a pulsating game. Linda Shaba was thrilled to play against the highly-rated titled players like Grand Masters, International Masters.
She also played against the current Women’s World Champion, who is from China. However, she bemoaned that online chess has a lot of cheating, which takes place during the game. However, from their group, there was not even a single team that cheated. Some teams were disqualified in other groups or divisions after cheating in the online chess tournament’s preliminary rounds. The live on board chess Olympiad tournament has a lot of fun, and there is a lot of pressure and anxiety entanglement as the players exchange their ideas on the boards. Sacrifices, tactics, and combinations are excruciating to have while there is an opponent. There is a lot of humour and attachment when having a live game.
All of the five African countries seeded in these different divisions were knocked out in the first round of the tournament. These include Egypt, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Morroco, and Tunisia. There was a tight competition between Russia and India in the penultimate round, who were declared joint winners for the 2020 Rapid online chess Olympiad. This was decided by the Fide President after there were challenges on the internet server, which was being used for the tournament. The declaration was posted on the Fide twitter page.
