Petros Mfune beat candidate master Chiletso Chipanga 3-0 at Sports Council in Blantyre last weekend to win the first-half of the gruelling 12-game finals of the Paul-Mike Individual Chess Championship.
Before the three-game round on Saturday and Sunday, Chipanga topped the leader-board with a 2.5-0.5 points, but now Mfune leads 3.5-2.5.
In all the three games, Mfune entered calculated risks and outmaneuvered the defending champion with superb opening preparation, making it difficult for his opponent to fight back.
“I just wanted to teach him a lesson. When he won the first three games of the finals a few weeks ago, he talked too much. I have now silenced him,” said Mfune.
Chipanga was gracious in defeat. Nevertheless, he insisted that he will do anything possible to win the second-half and take home the K130 000 winner’s purse.
“Today, I must admit that my opponent was in excellent form. But I should make it clear that I will not lie second fiddle to him in our last six games,” said Chipanga.
According to Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) spokesperson Gilton Mkumbwa, the second-half of the finals will be played at Don Bosco in Lilongwe in two weeks’ time.
