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Kasparov sends Mphungu, Mkumbwa to World Amateur Chess

Chikoko (2ndL) presents jersey to Mphungu (2ndR) as Mkumbwa (R) and other Chessam members Joseph Chalemba (L) and Paul Nyirenda look on
Chikoko (2ndL) presents jersey to Mphungu (2ndR) as Mkumbwa (R) and other Chessam members Joseph Chalemba (L) and Paul Nyirenda look on

World Chess Federation (FIDE) presidential candidate Garry Kasparov has sponsored national champion Gerald Mphungu and arbiter Gilton Mkumbwa to participate in the World Amateur Chess Championships for the first time.

Mphungu and Mkumbwa left the country on Monday for the two-week competition that starts on April 25 in Indonesia.

According to Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) vice-president Mark Chikoko, the trip is worthwhile for Mphungu as it will help him earn a Fide rating. He said as for Chessam publicist, Mkumbwa, the event is vital to enhance his arbitration skills.

“Participants at this competition are good players whose rating is below 2 000. Mphungu was considered for this trip because he emerged the country’s best player in 2013,” said Chikoko.

This is a great chance for Mphungu to get ranked on the world chess arena. He missed a similar chance in 2012 when he failed to travel to the World Chess Olympiad in Turkey because he was about to sit his end-of-semester examinations at the Polytechnic where he pursues a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Over 30 countries, including South Africa, Kenya and Uganda are expected to take part in the World Amateur Championships, which will have the open section and the ladies category.

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