Forty young chess players showcased their brilliance at the Dadaz Juniors Chess Tournament held at Beyond Christian Academy in Lilongwe as part of efforts to nurture Malawi’s next generation of chess champions.
The one-day event featured Under-9, Under-13 and Under-15 categories.
Organised by Dadaz Chess Academy in partnership with Kool Kids Coulture, and supported by the Central Region Chess League, the tournament provided a platform for young talents to grow, compete and have fun while developing critical thinking, discipline and confidence.
Speaking at the event, Susan Namangale, Founder of Dadaz Chess Academy, emphasised the importance of making chess accessible to every child.
“We believe chess can shape young minds in powerful ways. It builds patience, focus, and confidence and it’s something every child should have access to,” said Namangale.
She added that the academy is already preparing for future tournaments with plans to expand participation and reach more communities.
In the Under-9 category, Wisdom Mawanga clinched the top spot with a score of five points. Fitness Maganga and Mizuki Hoshno followed closely, each finishing with four points. Myles Juma and Sharadasai Patil were awarded as the best youngest boy and girl, respectively.
In the Under-13 division, nine-year-old Alipo Namangale impressed with five out of five wins. Mzati Milanzi and Alice Phakati secured second and third positions with four points each.
The Under-15 category saw Shivasai Patil dominating with a perfect score. Yankho Belo and Praise Kakota tied for second and third, each scoring 3.5 points.
All winners received gift vouchers worth K270,000, courtesy of Kool Kids Coulture.
Chairperson of the Central Region Chess League Richard Matundu praised Dadaz for its commitment to grassroots chess development.
“This is how we grow sports in Malawi, by investing in young talent and giving children the space to explore their potential,” he said.
The tournament also embraced digital innovation, with some games broadcast online using the Digital Game Technology (DGT) system, allowing parents and chess fans to follow the action in real-time.
