Monday 20 December 2010

DIMBA wins 5th Kehat Beukes Memorial chess tournament

James Dimba, a student at the University of Namibia, emerged victorious in the 5th Kehat Beukes Memorial tournament hosted in honour of the late medical practitioner, Kehat Beukes, the first black specialist physician in Namibia and president of the Namibia Chess Federation from 1994 – 1999.
The runner-up was two times winner, candidate master, Charles Eichab followed in third place by Goodwill Khoa and in fourth place was Otto Nakapunda; also a candidate master and familiar figure in chess circles. In the picture we have Larissa Beukes, The Champion: James Dimba and the President of the Namibia Chess Federation, Max B. Nitzborn.
The best junior player was Dantago Boois followed in second place by Sylvester Nanyala. The best under 14 player was Nicola Tjaronda and best under 10 was Elvira Tibinyane.

The 2010 memorial tournament offered the opportunity for players of different age groups, backgrounds and experience to exhibit their skill on a level playing field. This year’s event was the best attended with over 50 registered players and the biggest cash prize since its inception.
The organisers wish to extend their appreciation to the sponsors over the years for their kind support towards the tournament. Their support has ensured the continuous running of the tournament.
The sponsors over the years are Namibia Beverages, Klein Windhoek Guest House, Kalahari Sands Hotel & Casinos, Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre, Streethouse, Khomasdal Motor Spares, Mrs Anna Bayer, Capt. Warren Daries and Dr. Neville Cupido.
Story contributed by Charles Eichab.

Monday 29 November 2010

5th Kehat Beukes Memorial Chess Tournament this coming weekend

In the Picture we have the late Dr. Kehat Beukes:
It's that time of the year again as we prepare to battle at the last chess tournament on the calendar of the Namibia Chess Federation. Chess is one of the few sport types which can be played all year round and for the fanatics and professionals anyplace, anytime goes well.

The Kehat Beukes Memorial Chess tournament will be held at the Thuringer Hof Hotel in Windhoek, this Saturday and Sunday 4th &5th December 2010.

The tournament, held in earnest since 1994, is staged to honour the memory of the late Kehat Beukes, who was a well-known medical practitioner as well as the president of the Namibia Chess Federation.

The tournament has over the years attracted many foreigners from all corners of the world, thus maintaining its international status. The tournament is historically well supported by many of Namibia's foremost chess players.

This year's tournament will be graced by Namibia's Candidate Masters Otto Nakapunda and Charles Eichab. Eichab has now won the tournament for two years in a row but will face tough opposition this time around. Max Nitzborn, runner-up at the Sanlam Namibia National Chess Championship 2010 as well as Dimba from Zambia will be the other strong title contenders.

Also last year's third placed Ingwe Chipande indicated that he will seriously challenge for first prize.

Registration is open untill Friday. Registration forms and the Tournament Regulations can be downloaded below by selecting the links provided.

Kehat Beukes Memorial Chess Tournament Registration form

5th Kehat Beukes Memorial Chess Tournament - Tournament Regulations

Players can download, complete and e-mail the registration forms or alternatively sms their details to 0812923461.

All chess players are invited to participate in the 5th Kehat Beukes Memorial Chess Tournament 2010. The event will be an all play all 9 round swiss tournament . Registration fees are N$30.00 for Adults and N$20.00 for Juniors.

The tournament regulations can be viewed here. For more details, please contact Mr. Charles Eichab at 0812923461.


Story provided by the LOC and edited by Namchess:

Monday 27 September 2010

ZCA PERENNIAL CHAMPIONS 2010

The past weekend 27 high school teams and 14 primary school teams battled it out for the champions in their respective sections. A total number of 100 high school learners and 48 primary school learners played 522 chess matches in 8 hours.

A lot of nerve wrecking moments were experienced when the winning scale played see-saw with the teams. In the high school section the defending champions Zandell Chess Academy (ZCA) wore their club shirts with the words “Perennial Champions” on the back. Many called it a bluff, but they underlined their reason for competing in the third round winning that match 4-0 against Paresis Secondary School to take the lead. ZCA further made it look very easy as they remained in pole position to the end. Whilst other teams like Wennie Du Plessis, TWCA High and Kollin Foundation swapped places every other round in 2nd and 3rd position. In the end ZCA closed the curtains on the other teams with 23.5 out of 28 games in 1st place and received N$2000, gold medals and the floating trophy remained in their possession. And with no surprise the highly competitive Kollin Foundation A and B teams took 2nd and 3rd respectively and received N$1500 with silver medals and N$1000 and bronze medals. Both teams scored 20.5/28. ZCA is the second team to win the title back to back.

The past winners was DHPS in 2005, Ella Du Plessis, 2006 and 2007, Kollin Foundation 2008, Zandell Chess Academy 2009 and 2010. ??? in 2011.

The Weekend Chess Academy’s (TWCA) Primary A team took the lead in round 2 with one point after which it became a one horse race. TWCA primary A team already had the Gold medal in the bag after the 6th round and yet won their last round against the TWCA primary B team 4-0 taking their tally to an impressive 25 out of 28 games. The fight was more about who would take silver and bronze because the TWCA team bulldozed three teams with 3-1 and four teams 4-0 on the four boards.

In second place was the Van Rhyn Chess Club with 19.5 out of 28 games. Worth mentioning is that they played only 6 rounds due to late registration when they missed the first round. Van Rhyn who was in 3rd place after 6 rounds facing the then 2nd place holders Orban Primary made quick work of them with a demolishing 4-0 to take silver ware. This left Orban Primary with 16.5 out of 28 and the Bronze medals after 7 rounds. Both TWCA and Orban learners are trained by the coaches of TWCA whilst Van Rhyn is trained by ZCA and school teachers. TWCA primary A was 1st and received N$1000, Van Rhyn Primary A in 2nd and received N$700 and Orban Primary was 3rd and received N$400.

The Namibian Chess Federation strongly encourages schools and academies to get their learners ready for next year. The main junior events normally takes place in March, June, July and September of every year.

Thursday 16 September 2010

Namibian National Chess Olympiad Team received National Colours


16 September 2010, was yet another historic event, when the Namibian National Chess Olympiad Team received National Colours.

We registered chess as a sport in 2005 and after 5 years received national colours for the first time for international participation. According to the World Chess Federation's rating list Namibia ranks 102 out of 160 countries registered with FIDE. Namibia also ranks 9th out of 22 African Countries affiliated to the World Chess Federation, FIDE.

Our previous participation was:
Russia, Moscow, 1994
Russia, Elista, 1998
Turkey, Istanbul, 2000
Slovenia, Bled, 2002
Spain, Calvia, 2004
Italy, Turin, 2006
Germany, Dresden, 2008

We have participated in 7 Chess Olympiads to date and this will be our 8th attempt in Russia, Khanty- Mansiysk. Fide Master, Leonhard Mueller got two silver medals at the previous chess Olympiads, 1994 and 1998 and that is a sign of opportunity and progress.
Our team is as follows: Candidate Master, Charles Eichab, 3 times Namibian Champion; Fide Master Leonhard Mueller, 2010 Namibian Champion; Candidate Master, Otto Nakapunda, ranked 5th in Namibia 2010; Max Nitzborn, ranked 2nd in Namibia 2010 and Simon Shidolo, ranked 4th in Namibia 2010.

We would like to thank, the Namibia Sports Commission for their assistance as well as the Media for covering this historic event.

The Brave Knights hope to bring back medals for Namibia.
In the picture from left to right: We have, Otto Nakapunda, Charles Eichab, Rusten Mogane, Max Nitzborn and Simon Shidolo. Leonhard Mueller could not attend the ceremony.

Wednesday 1 September 2010

6th Namibia National School Team Chess Championships 2010

The Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) has the School Team Championships list as the last junior tournament on its schedule. We have grown from strength to strength since 2005 when we hosted our first event.

This event is important for the junior chess players to prepare them for what they can expect should they compete one day in the Chess Olympiads. The Team event is a 4 (four) player per team event and the different teams will compete against each other. This year the NCF also decided to split the high schools from the primary schools. However should any primary school team feel determined enough to compete for the ultimate crown they will have to play in the high school section.

2009 Top 3 places:
1st – Zandell Chess Academy A; 2nd – The Weekend Chess Academy A and 3rd – Kollin Foundation Secondary School A

The NCF invites every school and chess academy across Namibia to send teams to take part in the 6th Namibia National School Team Championships 2010. Every school is entitled to send 3 teams.

NCF Membership: - Every team will have 4 players. The School or Academy has to pay their annual membership fee of N$200-00 with the NCF to enable participation of their teams. Participants have to be u/20.

Registration fees: – is N$40-00 per player for primary schools (grades 1-7) and N$60-00 per player for high schools (grades 8-12)

Prizes: – N$6600 will be split between the two sections and in both sections teams will be awarded with gold, silver and bronze medals but only the high schools section winner will be crowned as the champions.

Venue: – Dawid Bezuidenhoudt High School – Hall (opposite Woermann Hyper in Windhoek, Khomasdal), Paul van Harte Street, Khomasdal.

Date and Time: – 18 September 2010 - From 08h30 till 18h00

Participants will be responsible for their own refreshments and transport to and from the venue. Schools are requested to contact Josef Nitzborn – 081 469 1522 for registration forms and more information. Registration forms should be completed and fax to the NCF at 061- 236 181 on or before 15 September 2010.

The NCF would also like to welcome and thank the early birds in Rundu Secondary School, Orban Primary School and Luderitz Secondary School for their registrations and enquiries. Will your schools’ name be in the winners for 2010? It’s your move!
Schools may download all the necessary information below:

Sunday 1 August 2010

Namibian Chess players to receive FIDE Trainers Titles

Max Nitzborn, Otto Nakapunda, Josef Nitzborn and Charles Eichab attended a FIDE trainers Seminar in Johannesburg South Africa and will be awarded with FIDE Trainers titles.

Monday 26 July 2010

Julian Isaak is the National Junior Champion of Namibia and Nicola Tjaronda the Girls Junior Champion

Julian Isaak and Nicola Tjaronda became Namibia's youngest Junior Chess Champions this year.

Monday 28 June 2010

CALVIN EIXAB WON 3RD BANK WINDHOEK NAMIBIA NATIONAL JUNIOR CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2010


This past weekend, Calvin Eixab from the Zandell Chess Academy won the 3rd Bank Windhoek Namibia National Junior Chess Championship ahead of his closes rivals Sylvester Nanyala, who came second, followed by Richman Tjiriange in third place in the u/20 section. Both Nanyala and Tjiriange had 6 points but Tjiriange had a higher progressive score and thus won on tie-break.

The best girl u/20 Dolly Tuuandi also from the Zandell Chess Academy won the trophy for best female player.


The u/18 had a new expert chess player in Marius Zemburuka, all the way from Arandis with 6/7. He was followed by Jack Tjaronda in second place with 5.5/7 and Haitange Haipinge in third place also with 5.5/7. Haitange lost the direct encounter against rival Jack and had to accept the 3rd place in the u/18 section. Julian Isaak was the favorite in the u/18 section but could only muster a 6th position. He vowed to clean the field come 23 July 2010.

Immanuel Gariseb was undefeated in the u/16 section with a perfect score of 7/7 and 2 points ahead of the field. He was followed by Hange Tjingaete in second place and Xenophone Julius in 3rd place each scored 5/7. Gariseb is one of the favorites to take the title in July 2010, but he will have tough fights as this will be the best of the best in Namibian Junior Chess.

Lishen Mentile, showed her class in the u/14 section when she won the event with 6.5/7 and 1 point ahead of the field. She was followed by her closes rival Nicola Tjaronda. The two girls dominated the u/14 field and was followed by David Kafo who came 3rd and took the bronze.

U/12 was dominated by Etu Nangula with a perfect score of 7/7. Nangula is a very aggressive player and has earned his gold medal with 1.5 points ahead of the field. In second position came the disciplined Tibor Trepper a real fighter on the chessboard. In 3rd place was Chauncey Nakapunda who missed 2 chess event for the year but ended up strong with a bronze medal.

Reinhold Kafo won the u/10 section and was followed by, Galilieu Njembo in second place and Abigail Julius in 3rd place.
In the u/8 section things got equally hot as the youngest of the contestants fought tooth and nail for the glory. Here another bright spark, Elijah Hiluliluah scored perfect with 6/6 and two points ahead of the field. He was followd by Jeandre Mensah with 4/6 and in third place was Kevin Gurirab with 3.5/6.
Worth mentioning is that 11 of the 21 medals were scooped by The Weekend Chess Academy learners.
All in all it was an amazing chess event with 180 participants, 7 rounds and 1309 games played in one day.
6 Namibians in each age group qualified for the 3rd Bank Windhoek Namibia National Junior Chess Championship 2010. This final stage will be played with classic time controls to determine who is who in Namibian Junior chess as the Namibian Junior Champion will be crowned at this event.

The Namibia Chess Federation would like to thank our sponsor, Bank Windhoek for the sponsorship of N$20,000.00 to make these events possible.
Congratulations to all the winners and candidates for the finals in July 2010.


In the picture is Sylvester Nanyala silver medallist, The Bank Windhoek Open Junior Champion Calvin Eixab, The Female Champion Dolly Tuuandi and bronze medallist, Richman Tjiriange.

Monday 21 June 2010

3RD BANK WINDHOEK NAMIBIA NATIONAL JUNIOR CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2010

The Namibia Chess Federation will be hosting the 3rd Bank Windhoek Namibia National Junior Chess Championship 2010 this coming Saturday, 26 June 2010, at David Bezuidenhout High School, Paul Van Harte Street, Khomasdal, Windhoek.

Schools, Colleges, Universities, Chess Academies and any junior chess player U/20 are invited to participate in this event.
In the picture on the left we have the President of the Namibia Chess Federation Max Nitzborn and on the right Ms. M'Kariko Amugulu from Bank Windhoek at the handover of the sponsorship cheque of N$20,000.00.


Registration fees are as follows:

U/8 & U/10 = N$30.00

U/12 - U/16 = N$40.00

U/18 & U/20 = N$60.00

NB: Only members of the NCF will be able to participate. Kindly pay your membership fees for 2010.

To register your school chess club please complete the school chess club registration and membership list forms and deposit funds into the NCF bank account.

Kindly complete the online registration form or the fax registration form and forward to us by 25 June 2010.

Total Sponsorship amounts to N$20,000.00. Bank Windhoek is the official sponsor of the 3rd Bank Windhoek Namibia National Junior Chess Championship 2010. The Namibia Chess Federation would like to thank Bank Windhoek for their continued financial support to make this event possible.

To download the tournament regulations click here.

For enquiries please contact Max at 0816152895 or e-mail to namibiachess@gmail.com

Monday 12 April 2010

FIDE MASTER LEONARD MUELLER WON 5TH SANLAM NAMIBIA NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2010


This past weekend, 8-11 April 2010, we saw once again high level chess played by FIDE Master Leonard Mueller. Mueller won all his games from round 1-5 and only conceded two half points in the last two rounds against Candidate Masters Otto Nakapunda and Charles Eichab. He was undefeated and scored 6/7 points.

In second place were Max Nitzborn with 5.5/7 and Josef Nitzborn also with 5.5/7 in third place. Max had a higher progressive score on tie-break then Josef and thus came second overall. The duo, both chess coaches at The Weekend Chess Academy showed their metal this year and only concedes one point each against Fide Master Mueller.
On the junior side it was Unam student, Sylvestor Nanyala who fought the hardest to clinch the gold with 5/7. The arandis born-born Nanyala was follwed by Immanuel Gariseb with 5/7 in second place and Julian Isaak with 5/7 in third place. The progressive tie-break once again split the places.
Tjatindi Kamutuua scored 3.5/7 and was crowned the best women player, it was her début at a classical chess tournament and she took the trophy as Namibia’s women champion.
A total number of 45 players registered but only 42 players participated until round 7.
The Namibia Chess Federation would also like to announce the players who will represent Namibia at the 39th Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia from 19 September 2010 to 4 October 2010. They are, Leonard Mueller, Max Nitzborn, Simon Shidolo, Otto Nakapunda and Charles Eichab.


All chess players who qualified for the Olympiad should get their passports ready by 15 May 2010.

The official sponsor,Sanlam Namibia, had set aside N$16,000.00 for the championships.The Namibia Chess Federation would like to thank our sponsor for their kind gesture.

Thursday 1 April 2010

5TH SANLAM NAMIBIA NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2010


The Namibia Chess Federation would like to invite all Namibian chess players to the 5th Sanlam Namibia National Chess Championships 2010.

The chess tournament will be attended by FIDE Master Leonard Mueller and Candidate Masters Charles Eichab and Otto Nakapunda. The event will take place at the Hotel Thuringer Hof, Independence Avenue, Windhoek, from 8-11 April 2010.

National Chess Champion of Namibia, Charles Eichab will have to fight very hard to keep his title as National Chess Champion.





Registration to the event starts on 7 April and will close at 12h00 on 8 April 2010. Sanlam Namibia sponsored N$16,000.00 towards the event and the total prize fund amounts to N$8,700.00. The challenge is to come "Think Ahead" and win. The Namibian Team to represent Namibia at the 39th Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansysik, Russia will be selected after this event. Don't miss an opportunity to go to Russia under the Namibian flag.

For more details on the event please see the tournament regulations and to register follow the online registration link.

For more details or any enquiries contact Max at 0811221183.

Monday 15 March 2010

JAMES DIMBA, A STUDENT AT UNAM WON THE 5TH INDEPENDENCE BLITZ TOURNAMENT




Unam student James Dimba is the new Blitz Champion, scoring 10 points after 11 hard-fought rounds at the UN Plaza over the weekend. Goodwill Khoa finished half a point behind him with tournament host Otto Nakapunda a further half point behind in third. The best girl title went to Lishen Mentile.
Defending Champion Charles Eichab, who was honoured at the prize-giving for winning the tournament three times in a row, had an off day and could only amass 7.5 pints.
A record 96 participants took part in the event; a clear testimony of the tournament’s rising popularity which had only 14 players in its inaugural edition in 2006.


Zambian Dimba, playing in his first tournament in Namibia, walked away with the Job Ndimwedi floating trophy plus the top cash prize.
The next tournament on the chess calendar is the National Championships which also serves as the qualifying tournament for the 39th World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, later in this year.

The rest of the results were as follow:
U10:
1) Mubasen /Hochobeb
2) Abigail Julius
3) Reinhold Kaffo
U12:
1) Nicola Tjaronda
2) Etu Nangula
3) Chauncey Nakapunda
U14:
1) Spatzi !Noreseb
2) Lishen Mentile
3) David Kaffo
U16:
1) Julian Isaak
2) Jack Tjaronda
3) Tjitjiri Tjaronda
U18:
1) Jeremy-Dean van Rooyen
2) Theto Jonas
3) Mclean Handjaba
U20:
1) Dantago Boois
2) Calvin Eixab
3) Milletus Tjihero

This story was contributed by Otto Z. Nakapunda and posted by Max B. Nitzborn.