Mbahahiza, Katsvara take Omaruru Open crowns

Chess
Tina Victor
  • 1 Hour Ago

Katjinamunene Mbahahiza of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) and Tanatswanashe Katsvara from Windhoek won the Open and women’s sections, respectively, at the Bank Windhoek Omaruru Open on Saturday.

The 17th leg of the nationwide Bank Windhoek Grand Prix series brought together 78 players at S. I. !Gobs Senior Secondary School for seven rounds of FIDE-rated chess.

Mbahahiza took the Open crown ahead of Omaruru Chess Academy’s Thyrell Gawuseb in second place, while Kieviedo Tjimune of the Namibian Correctional Service finished third.

In the women’s section, which featured two players, Katsvara took top honours ahead of Omaruru Chess Academy’s Jenine Hoabes.

The tournament was played under the Swiss system, with each player given 15 minutes per game.

Tournament director and Omaruru Chess Academy coach Zacharias Domingo said several upsets shaped the competition, with rounds five, six and seven proving particularly decisive in determining the final standings.

“There were many upsets during the competition,” Domingo said.

He added that the players adapted well to the fast-paced time control over the seven rounds.


Omaruru talent on show

The tournament featured 52 registered players from Omaruru, with Angula Simon of S. I. !Gobs Senior Secondary School taking the Best Local Player prize.

Omaruru Chess Academy enjoyed further success by sweeping all six podium places across the junior and cadet sections.

Junior: 1 Alexander Kamangu, 2 Stephanus Heyman, 3 Gernino Gariseb.

Cadet: 1 Petrus Shakungu, 2 Imelda Lappies, 3 Fritz Gariseb.

All six podium finishers represented the Omaruru Chess Academy.


Grassroots focus

Although organisers had hoped to improve on last year’s turnout of 86 players, Domingo said this year’s edition attracted fewer entries because other chess tournaments were taking place at the same time.

The tournament nevertheless gave Omaruru players an opportunity to compete in a FIDE-rated event in their home town.

“This annual event is a great initiative for grassroots development within the Omaruru community and surroundings,” Domingo said.

He also credited Bank Windhoek’s sponsorship of the Grand Prix series for supporting chess development across the country.

With the Omaruru leg concluded, players will next turn their attention to the upcoming competition in Swakopmund, while the town will look to welcome the chess community back for another edition next year.

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