Chess kicks off Independence celebrations as Eichab wins yet again

Charles Eichab took center stage last year when he won almost every chess tournament he took-part in and this year he showed just why he remains Namibia’s most decorated chess player. The 2014 Namsports chess player of the year thrashed 10 of his chess adversaries and in all 11 rounds at the recently held Independence Blitz Tournament held in the capital over the weekend.

Newly elected Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) Public Relations Officer, El-Shaddai Aluteni, provided that, a remarkable total of 78 senior and junior chess players flocked to the UNAM Khomasdal Campus on Saturday (14^th March) for the 10^th edition of the annual Independence Chess Blitz Tournament this year.

Since its inception in 2006, the event has become a popular meeting place for chess players based around the country. This year, participants from as far as Oshakati, Swakopmund and Gobabis took-part in the fast paced tourney.

Eichab only drew one match against second placed Immanuel Gariseb while discombobulating all his other opponents in spectacular fashion. Sanders Oberholzer came in third following Gariseb in second who also waked away with the best U20 honor.

The U18 section was won by Nicola Tjaronda who also walked away with the best female player cash prize.

In the U16 segment, Mutago Hochobeb cashed in after beating age-group mate Kaune Kuzeue on a tight tie-break.

With only half a point separating him from Hiren Naidoo, Kefilwe Kajovi secured first prize in the U14 section.

Well-known Dante Beukes did what he did best as he once again won first prize in the U12 division.

Another familiar face in Namibia junior chess, Gale Jane smiled all the way to the bank as he scooped first prize in the U10 age-group.

Aluteni, acclaimed this year’s tournament to be, “a euphoric celebration of our beloved country’s silver jubilee.” She added that, the federation has chess tournaments scheduled for every month this year including the highly anticipated National Championship scheduled for 3^rd to 6^th April, Oshakati Open on 30^th May, Keetmanshoop on 6^th June and Windhoek Open on 21^st-23^rd August.

All persons interested in becoming NCF members can simply email the secretary at secretary@namibiachessfederation.com.

Final ranking

Rank SNo.    Name                   Rtg FED Pts Res. 

   1    1 CM Eichab Charles        2000 NAM 10½  0   

   2    4    Gariseb Immanuel      1900 NAM 9½   0   

   3    6    Oberholzer Sanders    1900 NAM  8   0   

   4    3 CM Nakapunda Otto        1950 NAM  8   0   

   5   54    Mbaha Athiel          1600 NAM  8   0   

   6   77    Kuhanga Freamntle     1700 NAM  8   0   

   7    5    Nitzborn Joseph       1900 NAM 7½   0   

   8   19    Nauiseb Alfred        1700 NAM 7½   0   

   9   14    Gurirab Montgomery    1700 NAM 7½   0   

  10   30    Jan Oliva             1700 GER  7   0   

  11    7    Shidolo Simon         1900 NAM  7   0   

  12   11    Beukes Dante          1700 NAM  7   0   

  13   71    Toivo Nangula         1500 NAM  7   0   

  14    8    Kamberipa William     1800 NAM  7   0   

  15   22    Uirab Adelino         1700 NAM  7   0   

  16   69    Tjamburo Greg         1500 NAM  7   0   

  17    9    Tjaronda Nicola       1800 NAM  7   0   

  18   20    Tjatindi Kamutuua     1700 NAM  7   0   

  19   17 CM Jolly-Joice Nepando   1700 NAM  7   0   

  20   18    Kajovi Matjua         1700 NAM  7   0   

  21   21    Tjiriange Richman     1700 NAM  7   0   

  22    2 CM Handjaba McLean       1950 NAM 6½   0   

  23   12    Campbell Clerence     1700 NAm  6   0   

  24   27    Hochobeb Mutago       1600 NAM  6   0   

  25   10    Bernhard Schwarz      1700 NAM  6   0   

  26   40    Ujamba Therence       1600 NAM  6   0   

  27   13    Dumbura Michael       1700 ZAM  6   0   

  28   28    Horn Aldo             1600 NAM  6   0   

  29   60    Ndoroma Christopher   1500 NAM  6   0   

  30   75    Mentile Lishen        1800 NAM  6   0   

  31   15    Hoveka Varee          1700 NAM  6   0   

  32   76    Virimuje Kahuure      1500 NAM  6   0   

  33   50    Korupanda Herryson    1500 NAM  6   0   

  34   68    Shilomboleni Paulinus 1500 NAM  6   0   

  35   37    Ndungula Borro        1600 NAM  6   0   

  36   70    Tjirare Leonhard      1500 NAM  6   0   

  37   78    Professor Mavenjono   1600 NAM  6   0   

  38   48    Kaune Kuzeue          1500 NAM  6   0   

  39   55    Mbitjita Kahure       1500 NAM 5½   1   

  40   33    Kajovi Kefilwe        1600 NAM 5½   0   

  41   35    Naidoo Hiren          1600 NAM  5   0   

  42   26    Hochobeb Mubasen      1600 NAM  5   0   

  43   43    Gaoseb Manfredo       1500 NAM  5   0   

  44   25    Gurirab Kevin         1600 NAM  5   0   

  45   36    Nangula Etu           1600 NAM  5   0   

  46   51    Korupanda Matjiua     1500 NAM  5   0   

  47   49    Kazekondjo Uzuva      1500 NAM  5   0   

  48   32    Jane Gale             1600 NAM  5   0   

  49   31    Jane Ditshaba         1600 NAM  5   0   

  50   16    Japhta Brain          1600 NAM  5   0   

  51   23    David Wilbard         1600 NAM  5   0   

  52   34    Lazarus Shatipamba    1600 NAM  5   0   

  53   47    Katjimune Marshall    1500 NAM 4½   0   

  54   41    Erastus Nghishoona    1500 NAM 4½   0   

  55   64    Pena Kahaka           1500 NAM 4½   0   

  56   72    Treasure Zaongara     1500 NAM 4½   0   

  57   39    Tjirare Gatsen        1600 NAM  4   0   

  58   44    Hoabeb Joseph         1500 NAM  4   0   

  59   57    Mundjuua Kamuilze     1500 NAM  4   0   

  60   59    Ndjiisira Kaunatjike  1500 NAM  4   0   

  61   67    Salmon Williams       1500 NAm  4   0   

  62   45    James  Kamerika       1500 NAM  4   0   

  63   63    Nombuiro Marenga      1500 NAM  4   0   

  64   65    Phenyo Mmolawa        1500      4   0   

  65   58    Mupetami Steven       1500 NAM  4   0   

  66   74    Vilho Jesse           1500 NAM  4   0   

  67   24    Gideon Ndali          1600 NAM  4   0   

  68   52    Lamek Indongo         1500 NAM 3½   0   

  69   61    Ngaihape Mbahepa      1500 NAM 3½   0   

  70   53    Maniky Hangero        1500 NAM 3½   0   

  71   62    Ngenda Hamutenya      1500 NAM 3½   0   

  72   66    Rodricoh Tjivela      1500 NAM 3½   0   

  73   42    Erastus Erckie        1500 NAM  3   0   

  74   29    Ithana Kerth          1500 NAM  3   0   

  75   73    Veendapi Hangero      1500 NAM 2½   0   

  76   38    Nyazika Bruce         1600      2   0   

  77   56    Meundju Katarjiua     1500 NAM  2   0   

  78   46    Karaerua Dinah        1500 NAM  2   0