Malawi National Chess Team has left the country for the 45th World Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, where they will join other countries from across the world in the biggest chess competition.
The National team left Kamuzu International airport on 9 September and is expected to arrive in Hungary on 10 September for a tournament that will run until 25 September.
Speaking with ProjectM in an interview, Publicity Secretary for Chess Association of Malawi (CHESAM) Francis Mwangupili said they are optimistic that they will perform well because the preparations went well.
“Our players have been exposed to a series of training both locally and virtually where we hosted corporate chess tournaments and national tournaments in which the best players competed against each other,” he said.
The players also did a virtual training with a Grandmaster appointed by the International Federation who imparted more knowledge.
“With all the skills and knowledge acquired, we are confident that we will win”, he said
The open team, which is captained by Leonard Mbwana includes (FM) Joseph Mwale, Chiletso Chipanga, Petros Mfune, Precious Kamwendo and George Mwale.
The women’s team, which is being accompanied by Gift Howahowa comprises Tupokiwe Msukwa, Susan Namangale, WFM Linda Jambo, Anny Simwaba and Rachel Jayloss.
The team is accompanied by the CHESSAM President – Mpilo Mzere and Jonathan Ibrahim.
FIDE Master (FM) is the country’s top-rated player who has clinched the title for the 7th time.
In 2022, Mwale was invited to the FIDE World Cup as a wildcard at the request of Namangale herself following his outstanding performance in the 2021 African Individual Chess Championship (AICC), which Malawi hosted in Lilongwe.
World Chess Olympiad is an annual two-year event and it last took place in Chennai, India in which Malawi national chess team players earned titles.
Candidate Master (CM) Alfred Chimthere was promoted to Fide Master (FM) status while Stanford Chiwambo and Martha Kapalamula earned CM and WCM titles.
Chimthere joined Joseph Mwale, Chiletso Chipanga and Gerald Mphungu who earned the FM status in previous editions.
