Moagaesi, Tjatindi lead the pack at GRIT open

Chess
Mariud Ngula
  • 3 Weeks Ago 27 November 2024
Botswana’s Tshepo Moagaesi (rated 1901) was crowned champion of the GRIT Chess Community open competition, hosted at Windhoek’s Old Power Station last weekend.

GRIT organised the FIDE-rated event to help beginners, amateurs and veterans develop their skills and improve or attain their official chess ratings.

Sponsored by Green Enterprise Solutions, the competition attracted 40 players, with participation from Zimbabwe, competing in the Swiss System tournament’s two sections.

Green is a company owned and managed by previously disadvantaged Namibians that provides information and communication technology services to corporate entities nationwide.

Open section winners

Moagaesi claimed the overall title and golf medal with a nearly perfect six-point score, only losing once to Zimbabwean third-placed and medallist, Candidate Master (CM) Dion Moyo (2117), in the third round of the competition.

Reflecting on his achievement, Moagaesi extended heartfelt gratitude to the GRIT community for organising the event.

He admitted that winning the overall title was overwhelming. “It was a tough competition with very strong players, including Namibia’s reigning champion Heskiel Ndahangwapo.

“To come out on top among such formidable opponents is something I didn’t expect. I represented my country well and won, so I’m grateful for the victory. I look forward to the next tournament,” he remarked.

In second place, claiming a silver medal, was the country’s two-time and reigning champion, CM Heskiel Ndahangwapo (2083), whose draw against Motswana Simon Bokamoso in the sixth round kept him from the title race with a 5.5 score.

Moyo, who, despite displaying dominance throughout the competition, also earned a 5.5 score following a sixth-round draw against Kornelius Namulo, and was ultimately edged out by Ndahangwapo on tiebreaks to settle for third place.

Women champions

In the Women's section, Kamutuua Tjatindi (1567) narrowly beat Women Candidate Master (WCM) Jamie-Nicole Beukes (1726) on a three-point tiebreak to claim the overall title’s gold medal, with Beukes settling for second place’s silver medal.

The section’s third place and the bronze medal were claimed by the unrated Chimfutumba Astrida, whose standout performance saw her join the cream of the crop as one of the tournament's standout women's players.

The tournament’s Best Junior title was awarded to prodigy Stefan Becker, who scored an impressive 4.5 points, alongside Best Madala Roman Cyprian with three points.

Casual rapid winners

Green also sponsored GRIT’s Casual Rapid event on Saturday, which attracted 47 beginners and amateurs vying for top honours at the same venue.

The competition’s open section was won by Christiaan Cronje (1511), who reigned supreme with a flawless seven score, ahead of unrated Jericho Ganeb and Laurinda Kasomba, securing second and third places, respectively, with a 5.5 score.

Anna Etuhole Moongo (1466) won the women’s section with a solid five-point score, dominating unrated Ngusuta Tjiroze (4 points) and Kaino Moongo (4).

Francois Binneman (unrated) won the Cadet section (5), alongside runner-up Hong Qihao (5) and Josh Jansen (4.5).

Mouers Maryke was recognised with a Special Women prize for being the only woman in the section with juniors and cadets.

One of the organisers Lazarus Shatimbapa said: “We honoured her for her passion and bravery, hoping it would inspire other parents to join their kids in chess contests!”

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