Ilala Crest Lodge in Mzuzu will this weekend host this year’s national finals of Mdina Business Solutions Chess Tournament.
Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) publicist Makhosi Nyirenda said this will be the first time for the competition’s grand finale to be conducted in the Northern Region city.
He said the champion will walk away with K100 000, adding that this will also be the first time that female players are expected to compete in their own category.
The event is set to prove whether individuals that qualified through regional qualifiers are strong enough to overcome pressure from seeded household names of Fide Master Gerald Mphungu, Chiletso Chipanga, Alfred ” Finisher ” Chimthere, Petros “Razorbade” Mfune and Joseph Nyambalo.
Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) Peter Jailosi, Steve Mpighu and Kajani Kaunda qualified in the open section while Vitumbiko Gondwe, Magret Ngugama and Tumpale Mhango did it in the ladies category.
The Central Region Chess League (CRCL) banks hope on George Mwale, Stanford Chibambo and Misheck “Software” Nyirenda in the men’s section. Royce Msiska, Daisy Nkhoma and Agness Jambo will do it in the ladies section
Wilson Chingati, Kondwani Kanyenda and Robert Ngwira will fly the Northern Region Chess League (NRCL) flag alongside female stars Linda Jambo, Emma Banda, Anne Simwawa, Ulemu Mbewe, Madalitso Mabvumbwe and Gertrude Chaomba.
“The finalists are supposed to find own transport and accommodation,” said Nyirenda.
The runner-up and third-placed players will receive K50 000 and K35 000 respectively.
In the women’s category, winner, second-placed and fourth-positioned players will get K60 000 plus a trophy, K30 000 and K25 000 in that order. Those within the top-10 range will get consolation prizes.
