Zone 4.3 Chess crowns go to Zambia, Botswana
Zambian Fide Master Richmond Phiri and Botswana’s Women International Master Boikhutso Mudongo took glory in the Africa Zone 4.3 Chess Championships at Shire Highlands Hotel in Blantyre on Sunday.
With 8.5 points from nine-rounds, Phiri secured a resounding victory in the 22-player open category to deserve a glittering trophy and the 1 350 dollar (about K550 000) winner’s purse .
Zimbabwe’s International Master Rodwell Makoto took home 1 000 dollars (over K400 000) as runner-up with 7 points while Angolan International Master Mauric Roberto Erikson Soares (6.5 points) and Zambian Fide Master Andrew Kayonde (6 points) got 750 dollars (about (300 000) and 400 dollars (about K160 000) for being third and fourth respectively.
In the ladies’ section, Mudongo received a trophy and 750 dollars first-prize after she topped the 12-player category with 8.5 points, half point ahead of second-placed Zambian Women Fide Master Lorita Mwango, who slotted 500 dollars (about K200 000) into her purse. The 350 dollar third-prize went to Angolan Sonia Rosalina (6 points).
Malawi’s Women Candidate Master, Linda Jambo, who was the country’s best performer in the week-long competition, also accumulated 6 points but she missed the prize by a whisker after the Bucholoz tie-breaking system placed her on fourth position.
However, Malawi’s eight representatives in the open section were far from smelling the dollars as the best performer Fide Master Gerald Mphungu, settled for a distant 15th position with 4 points.
Nevertheless, Phiri advised Malawian players to frequently compete on the international stage and focus on improving their middle and end-game techniques.
