Chessam optimistic of Chipanga’s success at world tourney
Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) is optimistic that Candidate Master Chiletso Chipanga will recover from Tuesday’s defeat to Mongolian Fide Master (FM) Myagmarsuren Gunbayar at the ongoing World Amateur Chess Championship in Italy and manage a podium finish.
Chipanga started off his campaign in the 45-contestant event with three-straight wins and was third on the ladder after tying on points with Gunbayar and Colombian FM Angel Miguel Garavito but Tuesday’s defeat in the fourth round pulled him down to sixth.
“Chipanga is good at coming from behind. We are confident he will quickly come back into contention and have a podium finish at the end of the competition,” said Chessam spokesperson Makhosi Nyirenda.
“Of course, he has gone down to position six from three. However, there are five more rounds to go.”
According to reports, after being forced to give away a pawn to save his hanging bishop in the opening phase of the game, Chipanga defended all the way to the book and lost his position on 62nd move.
Chipanga, who is also Malawi’s second highest rated player with a rating of 2126, qualified for the World Amateurs after emerging as champion at the Africa Amateur Championship in Zambia a few weeks ago.
His ticket to Italy was sponsored by Africa Chess Confederation the other fees were met by Chessam and Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) while visa processing fees was met by Chessam general secretary Gershom Chima. n
