A FIVE-MEMBER team of Zimbabwe’s brightest young chess talents is set to compete against the world’s best at the prestigious FIDE World Cadet Championship.
Departing for Kazakhstan today, the team’s journey follows a send-off ceremony held yesterday, where they were wished well by officials and parents.
The tournament, which features players under the age of 8, 10 and 12, is scheduled to run from September 18 to October 1, 2025, in the city of Almaty.
The Zimbabwe delegation is led by Zimbabwe Chess Federation official Mercy Mushangwe, who expressed gratitude for the support that made the trip possible.
“We are looking forward to participating,” she said.
“I would like to actually thank the Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) and also thank Kazakhstan as well, as they also secured some of the tickets for our players, which actually enabled us to take such a big group.
“Tickets are very expensive, so we want to thank Kazakhstan for some of the tickets. We also want to thank the parents for sponsoring some of their children, and ZCF for giving them that opportunity for their accommodation. They’ll be all on free accommodation and meals.”
The team is a mix of promising young players who earned their spots through a qualifying tournament held in June 2025 at Haig Park Primary School.
The players include Jemimah Masarira (11) from Southern Cross Primary School, competing in the Under-12 age group, Natalie Ndoro (10) from Budiriro 4, in the Under-10 girls category and Princess Eleanor Ncube (10), from Mother Touch International School, also in the Under-10 girls category.
Atida Mukono (10) from Haig Park Primary School, competing in the Under-10 boys category and Abdiel Timukudzeishe Mtakiwa, the youngest of the group at eight years old, from Sally Mugabe Heights, who will represent the country in the Under-8 category.
The World Cadet Championship will feature young players from over 87 countries, providing an invaluable opportunity for the Zimbabwean contingent to gain international exposure.
“This will be significant in the progression of our chess players as young as they are,” Mushangwe said.
“We are looking forward to having our national champions from this team very soon after getting this kind of exposure.”
Masarira shared his excited about the upcoming challenge.
“I am so excited to go and represent Zimbabwe at the World Cadets tournament in Kazakhstan,” Masarira said.
“I want to go there and learn from other players and also win to make Zimbabwe proud.
“I have been playing chess since I was in Grade 3 and I want to be a World champion one day.”
The young team’s journey is a testament to the growing interest and support for chess in the country, with ZCF consistently providing opportunities for players to compete on the international stage.
As they embark on this long and challenging trip to Eastern Europe, the hopes of the nation are with these five young minds, ready to make their mark on the global chessboard.