Jungle Pepper Kids Chess back in action
After three months break, the Jungle Pepper Kids Chess Tournament will be back in action today at Chichiri Shopping Centre in Blantyre where Tafadzwa Linje has a daunting task of defending his crown.
With the Isuzu Kids Chess champion Rafik Namangale (10) and national kids’ chess titleholder Khwima Gondwe (8) standing in his way, 7-year-old Linje will have to work hard to dwarf his strong opposition.
However, despite the nerve-racking atmosphere, Linje promises to defend the title at all cost.
“The only thing that is required for me to retain the crown is unleash sophisticated moves that will confuse my opponents. That is my strategy and I know it will work,” he said.
According to Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) publicist Makhosi Nyirenda, excellent players such as Linje will compete in the intermediate category and others in the beginners’ section.
“It is not fair to put all kids in the same pot. We have intelligent players such as six- year-old Alex Nyereyi, Thumbiko Mtumbuka and Will Phoso who, though brilliant, their thinking is not yet sophisticated enough to take on a 10-year-old with the same level of chess knowledge.So, the very little kids and beginners will have their own category”, said Nyirenda.
Some of the kids that will participate in this tournament include Karan Kathri, Mirabelle Chafumuka, Chawezi Chirwa, Mzati Linje, Yebo Sanga, David Mkomba, Asalele Chioko, Careb Msonda, Mishelle Chimbe, Chifuniro Chimbe, Tumpale Chawinga, Eugene Mkandawire, Mathew Maweja, Peter Maweja, Wayne Nyirenda and Stanley Chifumbi.
Meanwhile, businessperson Andrew Chifumbi has pledged to contribute K20 000 (about $52) for pizza prizes towards the showdown expected to start at 9 am. Registration fee is K1000 ($2) for each contestant.
