THE Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) Easter Open Tournament delivered thrilling competition this past Easter weekend, with Tapiwa Jele and Tatenda Ndou emerging as the champions in the Open and Ladies sections, respectively.
Held at the Flamboyant Regency Hotel, the 2026 edition of the tournament turned into a theatre of high-stakes strategy as some of the country’s top chess players battled for honours and qualification to the national championships.
In the Open Section, Jele delivered a powerhouse performance that left little room for doubt. Navigating a gruelling schedule, Jele finished with an outstanding 8/9 points, showcasing both tactical depth and endurance.
His dominant run secured him the title and a coveted place at the 2027 National Championships.
Leeroy Maulani finished runner-up after a strong campaign, with Kudakwashe Sibanda taking third place.
The Ladies Section delivered one of the tournament’s most emotional moments as Ndou finally clinched her first major title.
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Ndou secured the championship with 5.5/7 points, edging out Merrylene Zivanomoyo, who finished second, while seasoned campaigner Linda Shaba took third place.
The victory ended Ndou’s decade-long wait for a major breakthrough.
"This win was really emotional for me because it's my first time winning a major tournament like this one, of which I've been playing chess for almost a decade now," she said.
"I've struggled in the past tournaments, especially the last where I lost five games in a row — something I had never experienced before."
Ndou admitted her path to victory in Masvingo had moments of doubt.
“At some point I thought of quitting, but I just kept on fighting. I chose to play Easter Open, which I'm grateful I did,” she said.
I wouldn't say I was having everything my way... I almost lost my last game, which was very crucial for me. But I just kept on having this feeling that I could turn things around if I kept on fighting."
Looking ahead, Ndou believes the victory will boost her confidence on the national stage.
“I know I’m just like the other girls who have been winning before. There’s nothing that separates us now because I know I can win,” she said.
“I’ve seen it happen and I’m confident it can happen again. I’m going to invest more into my game, practise and keep showing up for tournaments.”
With their victories, both Jele and Ndou have secured qualification for the 2027 National Championships, signalling a promising new chapter for Zimbabwean chess.
Open
1st - Tapiwa Jele
2nd - Maulani Leeroy
3rd - Kudakwashe Sibanda
Ladies section
1st - Tatenda Ndou
2nd - Zivanomoyo Merrylene
3rd - WFM Linda Shaba