James Dimba won Independence Blitz for second year!!

Twenty-three-year-old Unam student James Dimba successfully defended his title as the King of Blitz when he won the 6th NAMSPORTS Independence Blitz Chess Tournament this past weekend. Dimba scored 10 out of 11 to edge out tournament host Otto Nakapunda who scored 9.5 and Charles Eichab who managed 8.5 points. Lishen Mentile also defended her crown as the best female player with a points tally of 7.

Half-way through the tournament, Dimba led comfortably with a perfect score of 6 out 6, followed by Olympian Max Nitzborn and former Junior Champion Toivo Nangula 5. Hot on their heels were the usual suspects Nakapunda, Eichab, Simon Shidolo and a rejuvenated Glenville Kapuire, also a former Junior Champion, all on 4.5.

Things got interesting in round 9 when Goodwill Khoa, the 2010 silver medallist, handed Dimba his solitary loss, blowing the title race wide open. Khoa would eventually finish 4th but there was nothing to stop Dimba, who hails from Lusaka in Zambia, from walking away with the Job “Zarp” Ndimwedi trophy.

Brave Warriors goal-tender Attiel Mbaha showed his chess prowess by scoring a respectable 7 out of 11, but he jokingly said he wasn’t happy not being on top.

Interesting battles were also fought on the lower boards with 7-year-old Kevin Gurirab arguably walking away with the performance of the day. Gurirab’s score of 5 wins netted him the Under 8 honours and it was in fact good enough to win the Under 10 section. In the final round, he beat 20-year-old Raurovandu Kandikirira, almost 3 times his age. He was followed by Kasparov Nangula. The Under 10 section was won by O’Brien Simasiku, followed by Jamal Simataa (both 4 points) and Tuli Petrus (3). Mubasen /Hochobeb edged his elder brother Mutago /Hochobeb into third place to win the Under 12 age-group.

Ileni Kandume took second place. In the closest of finishes, the U14 trio of Abhinav Lahiri, Nicola Tjaronda and Chauncey Nakapunda all scored 6 points and had to be separated by tie-breaks to finish in that order.

Despite scoring only 1 win in his last four games, Matjua Kajovi won the U16 section thanks to his strong start of 5/7. He was followed by Immanuel Gariseb and Lishen Mentile. As in the U14 section, all three scored 6 points and the tie-breaks had to set them apart. National Junior Champion Julian Isaaks took top honours in the U18 section thanks to his superior progressive score over Mitch Nitzborn. Both scored 6.5 with Hange Tjingaete half a point behind in third.

Calvin Eixab, Namibian Junior Open winner, scooped the U20 top prize with a round to spare. He scored 7 points ahead of Richman Tjiriange (5 points) who got expelled after round 10 for interfering in a crucial match between Julian Isaak and Greg Tjamburo. Raurovandu Kandirikirira came in third place with 4 points. The tournament, which attracted 52 chess enthusiasts, took place in the UN Plaza hall and not the traditional open-air amphi-theatre for fear of rain.

The various winners shared N$ 3,000 and all top three finishers received certificates. Meanwhile, the Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) has announced that the long-awaited Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on the 16th April 2011 at the Village Courtyard Suits, 18 Liliencron Street . Motions and nominations for executive members should be forwarded to the NCF no later than Friday, 8th April 2011.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. James Dimba 10

2. Otto Nakapuhnda 9.5

3. Charles Eichab 8.5

4. Goodwill Khoa 8

5. Glenville Kapuire 7.5

6. Max Nitzborn 7

7. Toivo Nangula 7

8. Attiel Mbaha 7

9. 8. Fremantle Kuhanga 7

10. Calvin Eixab 7

**Mbaha & Kuhanga share 8th spot even after all tie-breaks were applied.

2011 Namsports Independence Blitz Chess Tournament this weekend 19 March 2011

Dear Chess Friends, Everybody are invited to the 2011 Namsports Independence Blitz Chess Tournament, this weekend, 19 March 2011 at the UN Plaza Hall at the Corner of Independence Avenue and Penning Street, Katutura.

The Blitz Champion James Dimba will defend his title this year against Candidate Masters, Otto Nakapunda, Charles Eichab and runner up of last year Goodwill Khoa who almost won the event. The organizer of the event has promised that this year we will witness a chess event unlike any seen before in Katutura.

For registration: contact Mr. Otto Nakapunda at 0812116463. His fax number is +264 61 261899. Registration fees are N$30.00 for Adults and N$20.00 for Scholars. The event starts Saturday at 9h15-15h00. TOTAL PRIZE FUND: N$3,000.00. We are looking forward to see you there. You may download the tournament regulations here.

KATIMA MULILO CHESS CLUB

The small town of Katima Mulilo has much to offer both residents and visitors…boating, fishing, game drives, and much more. One activity not available was the game of chess. Malcolm Williamson, recently from Windhoek, started a very small weekly chess meeting and game with just one other interested party – Helen.

Christoph, who previously taught chess at a local school, joined and since our inauspicious beginning, we have grown enormously. Katima Mulilo Chess Club now boasts ten members and numbers are increasing.

Wednesday evening in Katima has become a date to look forward to as chess enthusiasts meet and enjoy two hours of a most enjoyable and interesting sport.

The Katima Mulilo Chess Club members thank the Namibian Chess Federation for their tremendous support and sponsorship. Although distance is a problem, hopefully one day we will meet and play against other clubs.

As the saying goes “from small acorns…” and this small chess club will soon hold their first AGM and apply to become an official member of the Namibian Chess Federation. And from there, who knows?

In the picture above we have: Front Row L to R Helen and Erica
Back Row L to R Malcolm, Doug, Christoph and Dick.
Story and picture contributed by Malcolm.

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.

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:

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.

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.