ZIMBABWE Chess Federation (ZCF) is using its latest FIDE Chess Olympiad campaign to underline a major shift towards junior development, with teenagers featuring prominently in the national women’s team as the country seeks to build a generation capable of challenging for international titles at a much younger age.
The senior men’s and women’s teams left Harare on Saturday for Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where they will compete at the FIDE Chess Olympiad from September 16 to 27.
While Zimbabwe will be chasing results at one of the biggest events on the international chess calendar, Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Kudzanayi Charinda believes the bigger story is the changing philosophy within the local game.
WCM Charinda said Zimbabwe could no longer afford to wait until players reached adulthood before exposing them to serious competition.
“Chess, you have to start at the grassroots,” Charinda said.
“We have to start at the grassroots. That’s what we are trying to do. If you see, for most of the tournaments that we are having now, we have a developmental section.
“We are actually moving to schools, encouraging people more into chess. So we are starting at the grassroots.”
That approach is reflected in the composition of the women’s team, which blends experienced campaigners with some of the country’s emerging prospects.
At just 14, Bulawayo-based Tehillah Makwiranzou is the youngest member of the senior squad, while 17-year-old Carol Ndlovu of Victoria Falls is another teenager preparing to test herself against international opposition.
Charinda believes exposing players to high-level chess early could eventually put Zimbabwe in a position where youngsters are challenging for recognised international titles in their early teens.
“So that by the time our players are 12, 13 or 14, they are playing for something, for titles,” she said.
Makwiranzou admitted she initially questioned whether her age would make her the weakest member of the team, but will travel to Uzbekistan determined to prove otherwise.
“At first I thought since I was young, I was going to be the weakest link in the team,” Makwiranzou said.
“I am now confident that despite the age, I am going to give my all and surprise older, experienced players.”
Ndlovu is equally unfazed by the prospect of facing seasoned opponents.
“I might be young but, as they say, age is nothing but just a number,” she said.
“The times are changing, we now have grandmasters who are as young as 12.”
The youthful pair will have experienced players around them, including Charinda, Christine Makwena, Nomalungelo Mathe and team captain Tafadzwa Shanya Mullio.
Zimbabwe’s Open team will similarly combine established campaigners with players seeking to make their mark on the global stage.
FIDE Master (FM) Roy Mwadzura travels as national champion and believes his experience from previous international competitions could prove crucial.
FM Mwadzura said this will be his third Olympiad, giving him a different perspective from some of the players experiencing the global competition for the first time.
“Being a national champion now, I can also pride myself with being experienced since I’ve played a number of international tournaments,” FM Mwadzura said.
“This is my third Olympiad, I’ve played countless international tournaments, so confidence won’t be much of an issue on my side. I also hope to share that confidence with the rest of the team.”
That experience could be particularly important for first-time Olympiad representatives such as Terrence Mureya, who expressed excitement at earning an opportunity to represent Zimbabwe.
“I am very excited to be one of the team members,” Mureya said.
“I also want to thank the Federation for recognising me and participating in very functional meetings to see that I have fulfilled the role.”
Candidate Master (CM) Kudakwashe Sibanda, who is serving as team captain, believes the balance between experience and emerging talent gives Zimbabwe reason for optimism.
The Open squad also features experienced players such as former national champion Tapiwa Jele, Emarald Mushore and CM Vitalis Mapuranga.
“We have experienced players who have been at the Olympiad before. Part of the team has young and very hungry players who are seeking to cause upsets,” the men’s team captain said.
“With this kind of team, we are sure we can win medals.”
Zimbabwe’s contingent will also link up with compatriots already in Uzbekistan competing at the FIDE World Olympiad for People with Disabilities.
The Chess Olympiad will be contested over 11 rounds using the Swiss system, bringing together national teams from across the world.
