THE future of Zimbabwean chess takes centre stage this morning as the highly anticipated 2026 Crystal Candy National Schools Team Chess Championship finals officially kick off at Marymount Teachers College.
An impressive field of nearly 800 young players, representing 150 schools from all 10 provinces of the country, are taking part in this year’s finals, which conclude tomorrow.
The championship has seen an incredible trajectory of growth.
Moving from its 2025 venue at the Errymaple Group of Schools in Zvishavane, this year’s finals highlight the sport’s massive explosion in popularity across both primary and secondary schools.
The winners will earn the right to represent Zimbabwe at the Africa Schools Chess Championship in Cape Town taking place July 6–11, 2026.
Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) president Todd Mapingire expressed immense pride in the tournament’s evolution during the opening remarks.
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“We are grateful to Crystal Candy for this partnership which has seen a massive growth of the sport of chess in the country,” he said.
“This tournament continues to grow with each passing year looking at the numbers this year... It is our desire to see this tournament continue to grow going forward.”
The competitive drive is higher than ever this year, thanks to a massive incentive for the young grandmasters.
Mapingire announced that the winners of this year’s finals will secure a fully-backed pathway to international glory.
“I am also pleased to announce that our winners from these finals will get an all-expenses-paid trip to fly the country’s flag at the African Schools Chess Championships in Cape Town, South Africa, later this year.”
With matches underway, all eyes are on the returning powerhouses of the tournament.
In the Senior High School division, Harare’s Dominican Convent High School enters the field with a target on their backs, looking to retain their crown after a flawless defence last year under coach Lewis Kahoba.
In the Primary School division, the reigning champions from Gwehava Primary School (Gokwe) are back to defend their junior title against fierce rising contenders, including Chipinge’s Mbeure Primary School.
The massive logistics of managing nearly 800 players have been seamlessly decentralised.
The tournament’s administration is being run by ZCF-CIE trained secretariat personnel — predominantly local teachers and headmasters already embedded within provincial education structures.
This ensures strong governance and strict accountability as the gruelling rounds of chess unfold over the weekend.
As clocks tick and the first pawns are moved this morning at Marymount Teachers College, Zimbabwe’s brightest young minds are not just playing for medals — they are playing for their ticket to the African stage.