Chess president hails World Cup milestone

Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) has hailed the country’s recent appearance at the International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Cup in India, marking a historic second appearance for the sport in Namibia.Three-time and reigning national chess champion, Candidate Master (CM) Heskiel Ndahangwapo, represented the country at the global showpiece.He followed in the footsteps of Namibia’s first International Master (IM) Dante Beukes, who made the nation’s debut appearance in 2023.Speaking to this publication yesterday, NCF president Berdian Beukes, who accompanied Ndahangwapo, praised the achievement and described Namibia’s qualification for a second consecutive World Cup as a proud moment for the sport.“We are extremely proud of the back-to-back qualifications. The achievement follows our strong performances at the last two Olympiads [44th and 45th editions in India and Hungary, respectively], where we finished among the top 100 countries, an accomplishment that guarantees a World Cup spot,” he remarked.Pride and honourDespite the country’s early exit, Beukes said Namibia was represented with pride and honour.“His participation at this level was not only a personal milestone but also a significant step forward for Namibian chess.“The experience he gained competing against a top Grandmaster (GM) in Vladislav Artemiev will have a lasting impact on his own development, ultimately lifting the standard of competitive chess in the country,” he noted.The NCF also extended gratitude to the sports ministry, through the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC), for supporting Ndahangwapo’s participation at one of the biggest stages in world chess.“Such partnerships are crucial in ensuring that Namibian athletes continue to compete with confidence on the world stage,” said Beukes.– mariud@nsh.com.na

Chess president hails World Cup milestone

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-27

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Chess president hails World Cup milestone

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-27

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