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JUNIOR chess player Daniel Jere yesterday turned tables on senior players when he scooped the Zambia Closed chess championship. Jere, who earlier this year represented the country at the junior chess tournament in Libya, won the Chess Federation of Zambia organised tournament with nine points after 11 rounds of play.
Although tied at nine points with Stanley Chumfwa, Jere scooped the title by virtue of having played and defeated tougher opponents. The victory saw Jere, a FIDE master, qualify to represent Zambia at the chess Olympiads together with International master Amon Simutowe and Chumfwa. Tournament director Captain Felix Malata said the tournament sponsored to a tune of K12 million by Cavmont Capital Bank and Next Technologies attracted over 100 male and 18 female players.
For his efforts, Jere walked away with K1 million while Chumfwa received K800, 000.
Defending champion Nase Lungu was relegated to fifth position after amassing 8.5 points together with Gershom Musende (third) and Douglas Bwalya (fourth). The once invincible Malupande Lungu could only manage 7.5 points and position 14 on the overall chart.
In the women's event, Joy Mtine won after seven rounds of play relegating another player who represented Zambia in Libya, Yvonne Saina to second place. Mtine with 6.5 points walked away with K300, 000 while Saina received K150, 000.
CFZ committee member Mwape Mwewa appealed to other business houses to support chess as the country had a lot of talented players, who could not show their skills due to lack of sponsorship. "Chess is not a very expensive sport. Companies can come in with small amounts of money and a very good tournament can then be organised," said Mwewa.
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