South Chess introduces back to school tourney

With the onset of the new academic year, the Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) has introduced the Finesse Schools Chess Championships.

Sponsored by Fide arbiter and veteran chess player Gilton Mkumbwa, the tournament, which starts next week, will see victorious individuals and school teams walking away with chess and academic materials, SRCL schools coordinator Margaret Ngugama said.

“This is the first time to have this tournament, which aims at developing the mental sport in the region while equipping schools with chess and educational materials. We are targeting both primary and secondary schools,” she said.

Ngugama said they will use individual format for the primary school event and team pattern for the seniors.

She said the preliminary games will be conducted in accordance with the proximity of the contesting schools to match venues. The finals are expected on October 10 at St Andrews International High School in Blantyre.

“During the preliminary round, Our Lady of Wisdom will host Chisapi, Jacaranda, and Pact while Stella Maris Secondary School will host Bedir, Joyce Banda Foundation and Michiru View. Chichiri, HHI and St Andrew’s will do it at St Andrews as Rose Garden will be hosting Kalibu Academy and Army Secondary,” Ngugama said.

She added that they are also targeting schools in Thyolo and Mulanje districts with Thyolo and Mulanje secondary schools as venues for the tournament