Three omitted from Zone 4.3 chess qualifiers

Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) has removed Joseph Mwale, Joseph Nyambalo and Vitumbiko Gondwe from the list of individuals that will participate in Saturday’s qualifiers for Zone 4.3 Chess Championships that Malawi is expected to host in April.

Chessam publicist Makhosi Nyirenda said yesterday this follows the suspension Chessam meted out on the three stars for boycotting the 2014 African Chess Championships in Namibia. The three boycotted the event in protest of Chessam’s delay to pay them their allowances.

“This weekend, at least 40 local chess gurus will gather at Country Club Limbe (CCL) in Blantyre to contest for  14 slots for the Zone 4.3  Chess Championship. Only seven slots are available in each of the open and ladies categories.

“However, missing from the players’ list is South Africa-based chess genius Mwale and his gifted colleagues Nyambalo and Gondwe, who were suspended by Chessam in January to pave the way for the Namibia boycott investigations,” said Nyirenda.

But Nyirenda said all things are set and they expect fireworks during the three-day qualifiers.