CYRIL Chigodo claimed top honours in the Open Section of the 2026 Commissioner-General’s Behind The Wall Chess Tournament, finishing on 8.5 points to edge out Kudakwashe Sibanda and Tapiwa Jele, who both tied on 8 points, with Sibanda taking second on tiebreak ahead of Jele in third at Khami Maximum Prison in Bulawayo.
Proud Mlilo rounded out the top four on 7.5 points, while a tightly bunched group on 7 points each, Nathan Mdlongwa, Siza Brilliant, Bernard Kadenhe, Ayanda Mhlanga, Bhekumuzi Maseko and Thomas Tanhuke,filled out fifth through tenth, separated only by tiebreak scores.
The tournament, held at Khami Maximum Prison in Bulawayo, drew a record 242 competitors this year, 198 in the Open Section and 44 in the Ladies Section, a sharp rise from the 176 players who took part in 2023.
Addressing the gathering, Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) president Todd Mapingire described the event as “not just one of the largest chess tournaments in Zimbabwe, but also the most significant initiative of its kind across the African continent.”
Mapingire used his address to underline chess’ value as a rehabilitation tool within the prison system, calling it “a game governed by laws, principles, and values that instil discipline in its players” and noting that it cultivates “patience, proactiveness, and the ability to think critically and deduce from a set of choices, both good and bad.”
He pointed to the International Chess Federation’s recognition of the ZCF’s Chess in Prisons Project, run in partnership with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, as central to the tournament’s growth since it began in 2019 with just 40 participants.
Mapingire added that the event, now officially named after the Commissioner-General since 2023, gives inmates a chance to “compete and mingle with players from outside the prison walls,” which he said “fosters understanding, breaks down barriers, and builds a sense of community.”
The ZCF president also paid tribute to the tournament’s sponsors, singling out Minerva for its donation of 92 custom-branded chess sets, and reaffirmed the ZCF’s ambition to one day secure FIDE rating status for the event and attract grandmasters from across Africa.
“This may seem ambitious,” Mapingire admitted, “but with the support and collaboration of all stakeholders, I am confident that we can turn this dream into a reality.”
Mapingire closed by telling the gathering, “We are not just playing chess; we are building bridges, fostering understanding, and creating opportunities for growth and development.”
