Muleso-Mphande Chess sponsorship increased

The 2016 Muleso-Mphande Central Region Chess League (CRCL) will roll into action in July in Lilongwe with an increased sponsorship package of K1 million from last year’s K600 000.

Sponsors Mayeso Mphande and Francis Muleso yesterday said the K400 000 increase, is meant to motivate the players, result from their satisfaction with how the CRCL handled the 2015 event.

“We were satisfied with the way CRCL handled last year’s tournament, so we have decided to reward them with a bigger package,” said Ghana-based Mphande who is also Chess Association (Chessam) executive member.

Muleso, who is based in South Africa, said the CRCL should expect a much improved package next year if they manage well the 2016 event.

While thanking the sponsors for the enhanced package and promising to maintain the high standard of the event’s organisation, CRCL chairperson Khama Chindole said they have since divided the competition into open and ladies’ categories.

“We are lost for words to describe our excitement with the increased sponsorship. We promise to use the money for the intended purpose,” Chindole said.

Candidate Master Chiletso Chipanga is the defending champion of the competition. He tied on points with Fide Master Gerald Mphungu but took the crown after being seperated by a Buccholz tie-breaking system.

Muleso and Mphande started sponsoring the competition last year, ending CRCL’s seven-year sponsorship drought.