ZIMBABWE’s women made headlines in Botswana this week, sweeping the top three spots at the 2025 Cracking Series International Chess Challenge that concluded on Monday.
Leading the way was Tanaka Dziyanyi, who won the tournament with six points from seven games. She stayed sharp throughout, only losing once to Zambia’s Naomi Mwale and showed why she’s one of Zimbabwe’s promising players.
Right behind her was Tatenda Ndou from Mhondoro Chess Club, who came in second with 5.5 points. Ndou lost to fellow Zimbabwean Linda Shaba in round four but bounced back strongly, picking up key wins and drawing against Botswana’s Eesha Nalamalpu in the penultimate round.
Her performance was steady, and full of promise putting her firmly in the spotlight as a player who deserves a look for the national team.
Shaba, who beat Ndou earlier in the tournament, finished third with 5 points. She played solidly throughout, holding her own against strong opposition and showing good form under pressure.
The tournament featured 29 players from Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, including seven titled players but it was the Zimbabwean women who stole the show.
In the Open Section, Malawi’s FM Joseph Mwale finished first with an unbeaten run, drawing two games and winning the rest. Zimbabwe’s veteran Spencer Masango tied for fourth place with 5 points, losing only to South Africa’s FM Banele Mhango, who finished second.
