Willemse, Nkonkwena claim Mariental Open crowns

Chess
Willemse won all seven rounds, while Nkonkwena led the women at the ninth stop of the Bank Windhoek Grand Prix series.
Mariud Ngula
  • 3 Hours Ago

Revian Willemse completed a flawless seven-round run to win the Open title, while Nasilele Naletti Nkonkwena claimed the women’s crown at the Bank Windhoek Mariental Open at River Chalets last weekend.

The one-day, seven-round tournament was played under a Swiss-system format, with each player allocated 15 minutes per game.

Willemse entered the competition as the third seed with a rapid rating of 1667, but went on to win all seven of his games to finish with a perfect 7/7 score to claim the gold medal.

His clean sweep left him one point clear of top seed and tournament organiser Israel Shilongo (1702), who finished second on 6/7 to claim silver. The bronze medal went to Tapiwanashe Katsvara, who completed the Open podium with 5/7.

Nkonkwena, the sixth seed overall and highest-rated woman in the starting field at 1451, emerged as the leading female player to secure the women’s gold medal. 

Six-year-old Penny Shilongo took silver, while Amoricha Boois completed the women’s podium with bronze.


Junior winners

The lower prize sections also produced several standout performers.

Junior: 1 Cecil van Rhyn, 2 Mario Boois, 3 Antonio Hawaseb.

Cadet: 1 Damion Aribeb, 2 Victory Wilhelm, 3 Andy Boois.

Matthew Kasonde received the Best Local Player award for his performance at the event.


Regional growth

Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) secretary general Israel Shilongo credited Bank Windhoek’s continued sponsorship with sustaining the nationwide Grand Prix series and helping the federation take competitive chess to the regions.

He also thanked the Roussow family for providing River Chalets as the venue and Hardap Chess Association chairperson Abraham Kasonde, who also served as chief arbiter, for assisting with the organisation of the tournament.

“We also salute the coaches, arbiters, parents and volunteers whose efforts ensured a successful event,” said Shilongo.

“Hosting the ninth Grand Prix leg in Mariental was part of NCF’s drive to strengthen chess in the Hardap region and to extend competitive opportunities to players across the country.”

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