Local chess gurus take on world
Team Namibia carries with them the hopes of a nation, when they compete at the 43rd Chess Olympiad in Georgia.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Local chess champion Charles Eichab says more investment is needed in chess, as it helps individuals with their cognitive development and can likened to a boxing match.
Eichab was speaking at a press conference held last Thursday in Windhoek, where the 12 senior men and women's chess team received national colours to attend the 43rd Chess Olympiad, which will be held in Batumi, Georgia from 23 September to 1 October.
The Olympiad will attract close to 190 countries in celebration of Georgia's 100th independence anniversary, with world chess federation member countries from all over the world competing in the chess tournament.
Eichab, who is also the head of delegation, said the many people who think that chess is not a sport are wrong.
“A chess game can take up to four to five hours, which can be very strenuous on the mind, as the players need to concentrate and make well-calculated moves.
“A player needs a strong nervous system, as it can get quiet exhausting, it can be compared to a boxing match but it really helps with cognitive development,” he said.
Eichab added their goal is to improve on their world ranking.
“If we can break the top hundred that will be wonderful; and also get a few upsets at the Olympiad. At the last competition we drew with New Zealand, which is a top 50 ranked country,” Eichab said.
Namibia is ranked 128th in the world and will compete against top-rated countries like Russia, China and the United States.
Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) president Israel Shikongo said they are ready to compete, as they had help from a trainer to prepare the team.
“We have set targets that we want to achieve. The juniors have set the bar high at the African Youth Championships held in August and we want to emulate their achievements. When the team returns we can surely give the nation good news,” he said.
Magdalena Valombola, who started playing chess at the age of 13 and who first travelled to her first Olympiad at that age, said she's looking forward to the tournament, in order to learn new skills from her opponents and to use them when she returns.
The team is as follows: Mclean Handjaba, Dante Beukes, Leonhard Muller, Charles Eichab, Immanuel Gariseb, Veweza Tjaronda, Lischenkadisha Mentile, Joice Nepando, Ndeutala Shipindo, Magdalena Valombola, Israel Shilongo and Mekondjo Iipinge.
Local chess champion Charles Eichab says more investment is needed in chess, as it helps individuals with their cognitive development and can likened to a boxing match.
Eichab was speaking at a press conference held last Thursday in Windhoek, where the 12 senior men and women's chess team received national colours to attend the 43rd Chess Olympiad, which will be held in Batumi, Georgia from 23 September to 1 October.
The Olympiad will attract close to 190 countries in celebration of Georgia's 100th independence anniversary, with world chess federation member countries from all over the world competing in the chess tournament.
Eichab, who is also the head of delegation, said the many people who think that chess is not a sport are wrong.
“A chess game can take up to four to five hours, which can be very strenuous on the mind, as the players need to concentrate and make well-calculated moves.
“A player needs a strong nervous system, as it can get quiet exhausting, it can be compared to a boxing match but it really helps with cognitive development,” he said.
Eichab added their goal is to improve on their world ranking.
“If we can break the top hundred that will be wonderful; and also get a few upsets at the Olympiad. At the last competition we drew with New Zealand, which is a top 50 ranked country,” Eichab said.
Namibia is ranked 128th in the world and will compete against top-rated countries like Russia, China and the United States.
Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) president Israel Shikongo said they are ready to compete, as they had help from a trainer to prepare the team.
“We have set targets that we want to achieve. The juniors have set the bar high at the African Youth Championships held in August and we want to emulate their achievements. When the team returns we can surely give the nation good news,” he said.
Magdalena Valombola, who started playing chess at the age of 13 and who first travelled to her first Olympiad at that age, said she's looking forward to the tournament, in order to learn new skills from her opponents and to use them when she returns.
The team is as follows: Mclean Handjaba, Dante Beukes, Leonhard Muller, Charles Eichab, Immanuel Gariseb, Veweza Tjaronda, Lischenkadisha Mentile, Joice Nepando, Ndeutala Shipindo, Magdalena Valombola, Israel Shilongo and Mekondjo Iipinge.
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