Ndahangwapo named third-ever Fide Master

Namibia’s three-time and reigning chess champion, Candidate Master (CM) Heskiel Ndahangwapo, has reached yet another milestone, becoming only the third International Chess Federation (Fide) Master in the country. He was recently presented the title by Fide president Arkady Dvorkovich of Russia, as confirmed by the Namibia Chess Federation (NCF). Ndahangwapo had held the Fide Master (FM) title conditionally since 2022, following his maiden Chess Olympiad at the 44th edition in India. “On behalf of the NCF, we extend our warmest congratulations to [Ndahangwapo] on officially obtaining the FM title. This is truly a remarkable achievement and a proud moment for Namibian chess,” the federation wrote on its social media. The title marked his second step on the Fide title ladder, after he was presented with his first rung in the CM title in September last year alongside Max Nitzborn and Goodwill Khoa following their participation at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Hungary. FM title predecessors Ndahangwapo’s FM title milestone follows in the footsteps of International Master (IM) Dante Beukes and Fide Master Leonhard Mueller. FM Mueller was the country’s first-rated player after achieving the title in 1995. The country’s second-rated player was Otto Zandell Nakapunda in 2006. IM Beukes became Namibia’s second player to achieve the FM title in 2017, after earning his CM title in 2015. He has since gone on to become the country’s first IM title holder in 2020 and the first to compete at the Chess World Cup in Azerbaijan in 2023. After the IM title, the next and highest title a player can achieve is Grandmaster (GM). At present, no Namibian player has attained this milestone. ‘Play where it’s difficult to win’ Reflecting on his FM title milestone, Ndahangwapo was all smiles, thanking his supporters, the NCF and his competitors “who have made this possible.” He further wrote on his social media, giving a glimpse of his plans for the next season: “[Next year] is about growth, a new challenge – one that broke me before. [My new mindset will not be] playing to win, but to improve. “Ahead lies a road of suffering and we don’t know the end of it. I will not be coaching too much, but training a lot. Let’s go out and play wherever it’s difficult to win. Here comes another training arc.” Worthy opponents Highlighting his top 10 games for the year, Ndahangwapo pointed out his worthy opponents: Junior Heita, two games with Bernhard Schwarz, Petrus Kawende, Tuhafifa Haipinge, Sibusiso Angula, Daniel du Toit, Joseph Handiya, Dennis Frans and Namulo Kornelius. His year in chess comprised moments of tactical sharpness across multiple tournaments. He noted careful planning and strategic manoeuvres, turning challenging positions into victories. From mastering complex openings like the Sicilian Accelerated Dragon, the Benko Gambit and the Scotch Game, to executing daring piece and queen sacrifices, he maintained focus under pressure throughout. Ndahangwapo also acknowledged learning opportunities, noting moments where better choices could have been made, and praised his opponents for pushing him to elevate his play. He has, overall, enjoyed his season this year, becoming only the country’s second player to compete at the Chess World Cup held in India last September, and making history in July as the only player to have won the national title three years in a row (2023, 2024 and 2025). – [email protected]