Bank Windhoek Grand Prix crowns champions

Three legs of the Bank Windhoek Chess Grand Prix series recently crowned champions in Tsumeb, Eenhana and Katima Mulilo, with 123 players competing across the Open, women’s, junior and cadet sections in seven-round Swiss-system tournaments.

Obert Sianga and Samantha Kacelo won the Open and women’s sections, respectively, of the Zambezi Open staged at Wild Kids Academy Upper Primary School in Katima Mulilo.

The event attracted the biggest turnout of the three tournaments, with 67 players taking to the 64 squares.

Sianga claimed the Open gold with a standout 6.5 points, ahead of silver medallist Vincent Nchindo and bronze medallist Adonis Mpofu, who were separated by tiebreaks after finishing level on six.

In the women’s section, Kacelo had to dig deep for gold after finishing tied on five points with silver medallist Matilda Mpofu and bronze medallist Grace Mushaukwa, with tiebreaks again proving decisive.

Other standout performers

Junior: 1 Bravo Katjijova (five points); 2 Finn Nehemia (4.5); 3 Muzuki Mukobela (4.5).

Cadet: 1 Bandile Nyathi (five points); 2 President Molo (five); 3 Mushomana Nkando (4.5).

Reyeen Muhamubi was named Best Local Player.

Event organiser and Zambezi Chess Association chairperson Vincent Mhike said the tournament also welcomed players with disabilities from the Cheshire Home.

Among them was Siambango Mwala, who finished 24th in the 67-player field.

“I gave him N$200 from my pocket [for his performance]. I was so happy because, for the first time in [our event’s] history, we had individuals with disabilities in the field,” Mhike said.

“We look forward to their participation in Paralympic events and any other related events and tournaments in the future.”

Organisers also thanked the Bank Windhoek Katima Mulilo branch for its branding support, as well as the officials involved in staging the tournament.

Shilongo breaks through in Eenhana

In Eenhana, 17 players competed at the Eenhana Youth Centre, where Israel Shilongo and Happiness Nghiwewelekwa won the Open and women’s sections, respectively.

Shilongo, for whom gold had proved elusive in several Bank Windhoek Grand Prix events, finally stepped into the limelight with a flawless 7/7 to claim the Open title.

He was followed by Moses Ndemwoongela in second place with six points, while Sem Kaulinge took bronze with five.

The women’s section featured two competitors, with Nghiwewelekwa’s 3.5 points enough for gold ahead of Monica Emvula on three.

Junior: 1 Tuna-Omwene Petrus (four points); 2 Erick Festus (four); 3 Paulus Hamutenya (four).

Cadet: 1 Hansel Haikali (three points); 2 Hanganeni Haikali (three); 3 Ademus Mutelo (2.5).

Elias Erickson was named Best Local Player.

The Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) also thanked the Bank Windhoek Eenhana branch for its support and Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa for assisting with the event.

“A special note of gratitude is also due to the Ohangwena Region governor Kadiva Hamutumwa for her valuable assistance and support in bringing this event to fruition,” the NCF said in a statement.

Ndashiva leads Tsumeb charge

South-east of Eenhana, another 39 players battled it out at the Tsumeb Secondary School Hall.

Nghinongwa Ndashiva came within half a point of a perfect tournament, scoring 6.5/7 to take the Open gold ahead of Marsell Augumeb (six points) and Gerson Haukongo (5.5).

Venesias Shimanya took the women’s title ahead of silver medallist Rebekka Abiater (4.5) and third-placed Ndapandula Nangolo (four points).

Shimanya’s sibling Willemina also struck gold in the cadet section, with the pair both finishing among the overall top 10 at the tournament.

Junior: 1 Brando Waterboer (five points); 2 Angelo Kaishungu (five points); 3 Branden Ochurub (4.5).

Cadet: 1 Willemina Shimanya (five points); 2 Yash Roongta (four points); 3 Jerome Kambiri (four points).

Mateus Megameno received the Best Local Player award, while eight-year-old Princess Nahango of Tsumeb Arise School of Excellence received a special award as the youngest player at the tournament.

The Oshikoto Chess Association, under the auspices of the NCF, thanked Bank Windhoek and Tsumeb Secondary School for their support, along with the tournament officials, players and parents involved in staging the event.

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