Mwagomba tops chess North qualifiers
Fishani Mwagomba produced a superb display to win the K1 million Northern Region Mdina Chess qualifiers on Saturday in Mzuzu.
The competition attracted 26 contestants from Karonga, Rumphi and Mzuzu.
Mwagomba finished on seven points after winning all his seven games. He defeated Rumbani Mkamanga in the decider.
In the other games, he outclassed Blessings Chuma, Lonjezo Banda, Kezzie Msukwa, Vicus Mhango, Wakisa Mweneghama and Vincent Luhanga.
Said Mwagomba: “I am happy to have won. I was well prepared for the tournament.”
Luhanga finished second with five points and 18.50 tie-breaks. Mkamanga was third with five points.
Others who qualified are Hagai Kadzakalowa, Raymond Chitedze, Banda, Thom Phiri, Mweneghama, Joseph Gondwe, Kondwani Kanyenda.
Speaking after the games, arbiter Isaac Mumba hailed the players for observing discipline throughout the games.
Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) president Kezzie Msukwa said the idea of holding qualifiers was to select a team that would ably represent North at the Mdina National Open Chess finals scheduled for August 24-27 August in Mzuzu.
He said some foreigners are also expected to take part. n
