THE Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) 2015 season kicks off in Mutare this weekend with the staging of the Mutare Grand Prix at Mutare Polytechnic College, on Saturday and Sunday.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
The Mutare Grand Prix, which is expected to feature some of the country’s finest chess players will be a seven round non-elimination format event (Swiss Event) and will be held over two days.
ZCF president Charles Kuwaza said the Mutare Grand Prix, was the first of five tournaments to be staged around the country, with the final leg set for Harare later this year.
“The ZCF grand prix is a series comprising five tournaments held over the course of the year, starting in Mutare before other legs in Gweru, Masvingo, Bulawayo and Harare,” he said.
“A player has to play a minimum of three grand prix events to emerge as an eventual winner of the series. At each series, the top twenty players are awarded points ranging from 20 points for the winner, 19 for the runner-up going down to one point for the person coming 20th at each meeting,” said Kuwaza.
Harare-based chess player Heath Darare heads into this year’s competition as the defending champion after beating a strong field of 50 players from different parts of the country to win the first Grand Prix of 2014.
Seasoned chess player, Dion Moyo came second, while Spencer Masango came third. Darare is expected to face stiff competition from Emerald Mushore, Spencer Masango and Lewis Kahoba.
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In the ladies section, Mutare Polytechnic student Colletta Wakuruwarehwa is the favourite to win the title.
