Mfune undermines Chipanga’s preparedness

Petros ‘Razor blade’ Mfune beat World Chess Olympiad-bound candidate master Chiletso Chipanga 2-1 during the ongoing 12-game finals of Paul-Mike Individual Chess Championships last weekend.

So far, the Paul-Mike Chess finalists, who faced off at Don Bosco in Lilongwe on Saturday and Sunday, have played nine games. They remain with three matches before the eventual winner of the K130 000 first prize is determined.

Mfune is currently leading with 5.5 points against Chipanga’s 3.5 points. Chipanga’s defeat last weekend has cast doubt on his readiness to successfully lead the eight-player Malawi squad at the World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway from this Friday to August 15.

But the Zomba-based player said his lacklustre display does not in any way signify slump in form.

“I made some risky moves which I thought could be helpful at the Olympiad where I hope to compete on a better position and probably graduate into a Fide master. For one to succeed in life, you have to take risks and this is what I did last weekend,” said Chipanga.

He, however, said his title chase in the Paul-Mike contest is not over as he will do everything possible to overturn the tables in the last three games sometime in August.
At the Olympiad, Chipanga will carry the Malawi flag alongside Alfred Chimthere, Joseph Nyambalo and Gerald Mphungu in the men’s category. The ladies’ section will have Ellen Mpinganjira, Vitumbiko Gondwe, Desderata Nkhoma and Royce Msiska.