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Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Metropolitan Province finished third at the National Junior Chess Championships held at Alfred Beit Primary School in Harare at the weekend. Harare won the tournament after bagging nine medals, three gold, two silver and three bronze. Masvingo and Manicaland provinces failed to send representatives, leaving Bulawayo, Matabeleland South, Midlands, Matabeleland North, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Harare Metropolitan and Mashonaland West to battle it out.

Midlands were second with one gold, two silver and a bronze.

Rufaro Chikaka won Midlands’ gold medal in the boys’ Under-12 competition that featured 68 participants.

Bulawayo had five representatives in the boys’ and girls’ Under-8, Under-10 and Under-12 categories. They got two medals, with one coming from Mzilikazi District’s Amanda Sibanda in the girls’ Under-8 competition. Kuzivakwashe Tongowasha won bronze in the boys’ Under-10s.

Moses Mutipforo, Bulawayo Chess Association competitions director and a member of the National Junior Chess, said the tournament was a success.

“We’re happy with the turnout and the fact that children are playing the sport at schools.

Chess is a sport that stimulates and solves tactical thinking to everyday challenges and for those reasons, we’re on a partnership drive with schools so that pupils can develop these skills,” said Mutipforo.

“I believe the future of chess is bright because having eight out of the 10 provinces competing at a grassroots tournament is a big step.

“What is needed now is to encourage and nurture these youngsters,” he said. Plans are underway to hold a similar national tournament for secondary schools, according to Mutipforo.

Results Girls Under-8

1. Amanda Sibanda (Bulawayo)

2. Gorgeous Siveregi (Midlands)

3. Keila Mungoda (Harare)

Under-10

1. Anashe Murinda (Harare)

2. Rudaviro Dzende (Harare)

3. Gore Siveregi (Midlands)

Under-12

1. Refiloe Mudodo (Mashonaland East)

2. Ropafadzo Mandizha (Mashonaland Central)

3. Rumbidzai Mawire (Harare)

Boys Under-8

1. Tawanza Mawire (Harare)

2. Kunashe Muzorori (Mashonaland Central)

3. Tinaye Madamombe (Harare)

Under-10

1. Tadiwa Madaka (Harare)

2. Takunda Maxen (Midlands)

3. Kuzivakwashe Tongowasha (Bulawayo)

Under-12

1. Rufaro Chikaka (Midlands)

2. Matthew Mhlanga (Harare)

3. Rit Agarawal (Harare)