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Mwale named best chess player in SA

 

Malawi chess gladiator Joseph Mwale continues to make headlines in the South Africa where he has won a second successive Player of The Year accolade at the Glenwood Chess Club (GCC).

For his success, the 21-year-old former national champion took home a trophy and K350 000 (R7 000) prize.

To win the award, Mwale won five of the six tournaments he participated in for the club in the 2015/16 chess season.

Mwale (L) receiving his trophy from Glenwood chess president Sayen Naidoo
Mwale (L) receiving his trophy from Glenwood chess president Sayen Naidoo

Among the competitions he won was the Inter-Regional Chess Championships in Cape Town last month. In one competition, he finished as runner-up.

“Moreover, the overall points I collected from all competitions in South Africa were overwhelmingly excellent. I will fight hard to win the accolade for the third consecutive time at the end of this year,” said Mwale.

Ironically, the player is currently serving two-year Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) ban until 2017 along with Joseph Nyambalo and Vitumbiko Gondwe for boycotting the 2014 African Chess Championships in Namibia in protest to delayed allowances.

Chessam publicist Makhosi Nyirenda praised the 21-year-old for his achievements saying this is putting Malawi on the international map.

“We are very proud of his achievement and we urge him to keep up the good work,” Nyirenda said.

Mwale has been studying in South Africa since 2013 on a chess scholarship. n

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