Candidate masters Chiletso Chipanga and Alfred Chimthere will tussle for the K50 000 (about $128) winner’s purse in the 12-game finals of the K300 000 (about $769) Paul and Mike Individual National Chess Tournament.
This follows their outstanding performances during the six-player national qualifiers at the Kamuzu Institute for Sports in Lilongwe last weekend.
Chipanga emerged top of the gruelling 10-round qualifiers after accumulating 7.5 points whereas Chimthere completed his games at 6.5points.
But it will be an unpredictable affair when the two face off next month in the finals, considering that their encounter ended in a draw during the qualifiers.
They both lost a match and completed the first phase of the qualifiers on 3.5 points.
Chipanga insists he will have an edge over Chimthere since he came top in the qualifiers.
“What matters most in chess is strategy for attack and defence. If you look at the results of the qualifiers, I am a better player as I am strong in both areas,” he said.
On the other hand, Chimthere seemed cryptic on how he foresees the outcome of their epic battle which will last three months.
Said Chimthere: “Chipanga is an excellent player, but this does not mean I do not stand a chance of winning the title.”
According to Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) spokesperson Gilton Mkumbwa, they are yet to decide when the two chess heavyweights will clash in the two-leg finals.
