Malawi’s Fide Master (FM) Joseph Mwale and Candidate Master (CM) Chiletso Chipanga on Sunday had it easy against Zambian opponents at the on-going Africa Individual Chess Championship at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe.
Mwale beat Zambian International Master (IM) Prince Mulenga while CM Chiletso Chipanga dispatched Mulenga’s compatriot IM Gillian Bwalya.
Mwale is the highest ranked Malawian in the open section.
In other ties, Malawian George Mwale saw off Ofubu Samson of Nigeria, Stanford Chiwambo beat Sihlongonyane Sikhanyiso of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), CM Joseph Nyambalo beat CM Oyama Ekok of Nigeria.
In an all-Malawi affair, FM Gerrad Mphungu drew with Ronald Chimkute.
In the ladies section, Priyasha Santoshi drew with Naredi Malape of Botswana.
Tupokiwe Msukwa drew with Mongeli Sasha of Kenya while Anne Simwawa beat Lobrova Lubov of Senegal.
In other all-local contests, Lackshita Dutt beat Caroline Trapence while Tapiwa Banda beat Charity Tadeyo.
Priyasha Santoshi is the highest ranked Malawian in the ladies section on position eigth with 3.5 points.
Chess Association of Malawi president Susan Namangale was excited at the turn of events after a bad start by local players
“It’s good news that we did okay on Sunday. It gives us hope that we are on the right track.
“Players like Joseph and Priyasha are representing us well.
“The tournament in general is a success. So many surprises everyday.
“We have seen a young player from Madagascar causing an upset against a grandmaster,” she said.
