At least 34 players are expected to participate in Batumi Olympiad qualifying tournament set to start tomorrow at Kamuzu Institute for Sports in Lilongwe.
The open section would attract the likes of South Africa-based Joseph Mwale, Petros Mfune, Alfred Chimthere, Chiletso Chipanga, Paul Khuphwathea, Richard Mbedza, Joseph Nyambalo, Mailosi Nsikiimodzi, Davie Mawango and Fransisco Mwangupili.
Olympians Ellen Mpinganjira, Daisy Nkhoma, Royce Msiska, Tupokiwe Msukwa and Vitumbiko Gondwe are expected to dictate things in the ladies’ category.
Chess Association of Malawi publicist, Makhosi Nyirenda, said three players would qualify from the ladies and open categories to join seeded Fide Master, Gerald Mphungu and Woman Fide Master, Linda Jambo, in open and ladies categories, respectively, as Malawi’s flag-carriers.
“Sadly, there are only three life jackets in this sinking ship. So, it is survival of the fittest,” he said, adding that players would compete in nine rounds played under Fide rules.
The Batumi Grand Qualifier is the final stage of the elimination race that started from the regional qualifiers.
The 2018 world chess Olympiad will take place in Batumi, Georgia, in September.
Malawi has since 2006 made itself present at the world’s biggest chess event which takes place after every two years.
Last year, Malawi’s team did reasonably well in Baku, Azerbaijan, an event that saw Mfune and Khuphwathea being elevated to Candidate Master titles.
Leave a Reply