Nyambalo guarantees to defend Lab Chess title
June 29, 2011

With this year's first edition finals of the Lab Enterprises Chess Championships ready to start at the College of Medicine in Blantyre this weekend, title holder Joseph Nyambalo has vowed to retain the honours.

For the last three editions, nobody managed to defend the title due to stiff competition among the heavyweights and the fast-improving skills of up-and-coming players. The last three editions were won by Joseph Mwale, Richard Chiona and James Kamowa respectively.

The three former champions have also made it into the finals this time around, thereby casting doubt on the prospects of Nyambalo defending the crown. But the 19-year-old Che-Mussa resident said he is set to prove doubting Thomases wrong.

"I spent a lot of time at home to perfect my skills, especially the opening moves because I know it is no longer easy to defend a title nowadays. I have read a number of chess books from which I have learnt some new tricks," Nyambalo said.

During the finals, Nyambalo will represent the Southern Region alongside Kamowa, Chiona, Edgar Khan, Goodson Kapena, Makhosi Nyirenda, Stanley Mpinganjira, Innocent Bamusi and Rumbani Mkamanga.

According to Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) chairperson Susan Namangale, the Central Region will have Mwale and Khama Chindole as ambassadors while the North will be represented by Kondwani Nyirenda and Wilson Banda.

Namangale said the contest for the men's B category will be among Stepples Jere, Duncan Manda, Steve Chingondo, John Bosco and Ted Chiwaula whereas all female players will be allowed to fight in the ladies' section.

Nyambalo leads, big names fall in Lab chess qualifiers
April, 13, 2011

Title holder Joseph Nyambalo led during this year's first edition qualifiers of the Lab Chess Championships at the College of Medicine (CoM) on 10 April 2010 to authenticate his desire to defend the title at the finals.

The 19-year-old Che-Mussa resident finished the two day qualifiers in A category of the contest with five points to lead a group of 10 players that have made it into the finals.

James Kamowa emerged runner-up with 4.5 points. Edgar Khan, Goodson Kapena, Makhosi Nyirenda, Stanley Mpinganjira were tied at four points while Richard Chiona, Innocent Bamusi and Rumhani Mkamanga were tied at 3.5 points.

"I know it is not easy to lead during the qualifiers and subsequently win the title at the finals, but I will do my best to be one of the few individuals who have ever achieved this feat," declared Nyambalo.

However, the 30 member qualifiers were unpredictable as a number of big names including candidate masters Chiletso Chipanga and Joseph Chalemba alongside former national champion Kajani Kaunda failed to progress into the last stage.

Out of the three heavyweights, only Chipanga has a chance of being roped into the finalists list as he has been put on a standby for finishing on 11th position, a single step behind the required 10-member finalists pack, while Kaunda and Chilemba were stuck on positions 14 and 18 respectively.

According to the acting Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) general secretary Gilton Mkumbwa, the region's A-category finalists will be joined by those that will make it at the qualifiers in the Central and Northern regions to fight for honours at the finals in the next two weeks.

Lab chess back
April, 12, 2011

The K600 000 Lab Enterprises chess competition for the Southern Region Chess League's (SRCL) returns today at the College of Medicine's Sports Complex with the first edition of qualifiers.

The first edition for this year will be played over six rounds to wind up tomorrow, SRCL general secretary Stanley Mpinganjira said on Thursday.

To be played in Swiss Pairing system, the qualifiers are open to senior men and juniors save for ladies who have earned automatic final berths.

"The qualifiers will produce top ten finalists who will have to sort it out this month end in the final. The players will compete in divisions A and B at the Sports Complex," Mpinganjira explained.

Now in the fourth straight year of Lab sponsorship, the competition's winners for last year's editions were James Kamowa, Joseph Mwale and Joseph Nyambalo, among others.

Entry fee for today's qualifiers is K400. Prizes are reserved for the month end finals and not in the qualifiers.

Lipipa rules at banda's sendoff tourney
February, 22, 2011

Lab Enterprises managing director Noel Lipipa surprised the chess fraternity when he won a Sendoff Chess Tournament for the Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) vice-chairperson Dr Richard Banda.

Since his company started sponsoring the Lab Chess Championship over five years ago, Lipipa has rarely been seen playing the game but his true colours as a chess wizard were shown when he won all his four encounters to amass 4 complete points.

His casualties in the 12-member day-long contest included candidate master Joseph Chalemba who was runner-up with 3 points and SRCL acting general secretary Stanley Mpinganjira who grabbed the third slot with 2.2 points.

“I am a complete chess player only that I fail to take part in most competitions due to tight work engagements,” he said.

On his part, Banda who is going to South Africa for studies, said he was very thankful to the SRCL for honouring him with the event.

“This really shows that chess is the sport that promotes love and friendship. I thank you for the support and the encouragement,” he said.

Malawi Sun Hotel to spoil Lab chess winners
September 20 2010

Blantyre-based Malawi Sun Hotel has revealed that apart from spicing-up the second edition of the Lab Chess Championships finals with free venue and snacks this weekend, they will also spoil the winners of the three categories with free dinners.

At a press briefing on Friday, the hotel’s general manager Rizvaan Osman said the winner of the men’s A category will have a dinner for two at their Aamari Restaurant while the men’s B and the female section champions will taste the luxurious cuisines at their Blue Savanna Food Court. 

“We are spicing-up this Lab chess competition at a cost of K120 000 and we are very proud to be associated with this sport,” he said.

Osman, who was the Cricket Union of Malawi chairperson from 2000 to 2006, could not promise much on their assistance towards chess saying that would be determined by the progress of their business.

While thanking the hotel for their kind gesture, Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) chairperson, Susan Namangale, said that the prizes that the hotel has offered to the winners of the competition will come on top of the usual K15 000 first prize in the men’s A category and the K10 000 in the other two sections.

Centre, North complete Lab chess reps' list
August 27 2010

Central Region Chess League (CRCL) and their Northern Region counterparts have completed the list of players that have qualified for the finals of the Lab Chess Championships following their qualifiers. Initially, the competition was contested for by players from the Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) but the Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) extented the competition to the other regions. 

At the Lilongwe Technical College, former champion Joseph Mwale and his elder brother George filled the forms for the Centre whereas Seko Soko and Wasoka Chirwa alongside Linda Jambo and Sharon Leno completed the list for the North at the Illala Crest Lodge in Mzuzu. According to Chessam publicist, Gilton Mkumbwa, the listed individuals are expected to battle it out against their SRCL counterparts during the finals at a yet to be identified venue early next month. "We are currently discussing with the sponsors on the right date and venue for the finals. But the finals will be conducted early September," Mkumbwa said. 

Bright Nthara, James Kamowa, Stanley Mpinganjira, Gerald Mphungu, Chiletso Chipanga, Joseph Chaiemba, Richard Chiona, Joseph Nyambalo, Edgar Khan and Makhosi Nyirenda qualified for the South three weeks ago. A chess player in the thick of things South's Festus Kayenda, Chimwemwe Manjankhosi, Bras ton Gondwe, Harry Namwera, Wongani Kondowe, Vincent Chafulumira, Richard Kondowe, Isaac Gondwe, Stanley Biyasi and Steve Chingondo would also compete in the contest's men's B category.

South identifies Lab chess reps
August 17 2010

The Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) has identified the individuals who have booked themselves places in the finals of the Lab Chess Championships after overcoming a tough competition from other 40 contenders at the College of Medicine (CoM).

Bright Nthara emerged on top of the two-day qualifiers in the men's A category with 4.5 points followed by James Kamowa, Stanley Mpinganjira, Gerald Mphungu and Chiletso Chipanga, who also accumulated 4.5 points each but were separated by Bucchol's' tie breaker. Joseph Chalemba (4), Richard Chiona (4), Joseph Nyambalo (4), Edgar Khan (3.5) and Mkhosi Nyirenda (3.5) completed the list of the players who are eligible for the finals in the first weekend of September.

But it was a terrible experience for some senior players including the former national champion Kajani Kaunda as he failed to qualify after finishing on position 12 with 3 points. In the men's B category, Festus Kayenda was at the summit with 5.5 points. He was followed by Chimwemwe Manjankhosi (4.5), Braston Gondwe (4.5), Harry Namwera (4), Wongani Kondowe (4), Vincent Chafulumira (4), Richard Kondowe (4), Isaac Gondwe (3.5), Stanley Biyasi (3.5) and Steve Chingondo (3). According to SRCL vice-chairperson Francis Banda, their counterparts in the Centre and North are expected to conduct their qualifiers by next week.

Chiona wins Lab championship
May 06 2010

Richard Chiona finally lifted the Lab Enterprise individual championship after collecting five points at Malawi College of Medicine. Chiona had tied on points with second-placed Alfred Chinthere to become the champion after arbiters used Buccholz tie break system. The Zomba based champion said he deserved the title after undergoing thorough preparations. "I have been chasing this championship for sometime.

It did not come on a silver platter. I struggled to reach this far," he said. Kajani Kaunda finished third ahead of Chiletso Chipanga.

Both players amassed four points each but they were also separated using Buccholz tie break. Defending champion Joseph Mwale finished eighth in a category that had 12 participants. In Section B, Harrison Nkhani won the title with five points while Sambo Sachus and Rodney Sinkonda finished second and third respectively. Ellen Mpinganjira retained the ladies championship with four points and Linda Jambo was second with three points. Caroline Mwale outscored Upile Pulaizi to finish third after tying at two points. Southern Region Chess League chairperson Susan Namangale said it was a historic competition.

"This is the first time that we had players from Northern region participating," she said. Namangale also encouraged individuals that failed to impress. "Perfection is never granted in mortal man," she said. Malawi National Council of Sports administration manager Henry Mereka paid tribute to Lab Enterprise for continued support. Mereka also thanked the body for involving players from other regions

8 reach Lab Enterprise finals
April 27 2010

Micheal Kulicheta won the first position as eight players qualified for the first edition of Lab Enterprise Individual Chess championship at Malawi College of Medicine on Saturday. Kulicheta posted five points to finish first ahead of Kajani Kaunda, who settled for second place with 4.5 points. Frazer Mkwaila finished third and was followed by Felix Khechi, Chiletso Chipanga, Rumbani Mkamanga, James Kamowa and Francis Banda on fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth positions respectively.

In category B, McLee Kumpita scored five points to emerge top with Vincent Chafulumira finishing second after collecting 4.5 points. Harrison Nkhani occupied third position with four points while Biyasi, Cliff Chinyama, John Mkumba, Alexander Linzi, Sachus Sambo, Rodney Simkonda and Gift Chikalusa all qualified for the finals. Southern Region Chess League vice chairperson Francis Banda said the qualifying games were competitive as most players battled for long hours to win matches.

"The tournament also showed that players were games starved because of the off season," he said. Banda said women players were seeded to participate in the final. "All female players are being advised to prepare for the finals," he said. The quarterly Lab championship is worthy K500,000 which is split to cater for four tournaments

Lab chess qualifiers to be played
April 21 2010

Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) will accommodate players from the Northern Region in the new edition of Lab Enterprise Individual Chess Championship. The quarterly championship is expected to get underway on Saturday. SRCL chairperson Susan Namangale said they decided to extended invitation to the North to allow players from the area to benefit from Lab's sponsorship.

Previously, the committee was only accommodating players from Central Region. "Top two men players from the Northern and Central regions would be allowed to compete in the Lab finals. We will also invite a top female player from the two respective regions to take part in the finals," she said. Namangale said the new set up was a move to develop the sport across the country. "You must bear in mind that the sponsorship caters for the Southern Region alone. However, we decided to invite players from other regions to make the games competitive," she said.

Namangale said the committee has also hiked the registration fee from K250 to K400 because of rise in accommodation costs. Meanwhile, the chairperson said the region's qualifying games for Lab Enterprise first edition will take place at Malawi College of Medicine on Saturday. "As usual only men will compete in category A and B to reach the finals whereas women would not play qualifying games," she said. Lab Enterprise has been sponsoring chess since 2007 and the current sponsorship is worthy K500,000. The amount is split into four divisions to cater for four tournaments per year The firm's executive director Noel Lipipa promised continued support.

SRCL extends Lab Invitation to North
April 21 2010

After a break, this year's first edition of the prestigious Southern Region Lab Individual Chess Championship qualifiers will be back to action this Saturday at College of Medicine (CoM) in Blantyre. Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) chairperson Susan Namangale said, as usual, the competition will be divided into Men's A, Men's B and the Women's categories.

She said the Central Region contingent, which will be selected during qualifying games to take place in Lilongwe soon, will meet the Southern Region team in the Men's A category to fight for honours in the finals. She added that the registration fee for each player wishing to join the race has been increased from K250 to K400. "We are now living in a world where the price of everything is going up. We tried our best not to raise the registration fee but we could not manage to cope with the situation," Namangale said. During the prize presentation ceremony of the last edition at Malawi Sun Hotel in Blantyre, Lab Enterprise managing director Noel Lipipa said they will continue sponsoring the quarterly competition saying the sponsorship will remain at K500 000 per year.

Currently, the Lilongwe-based chess whizz-kid Joseph Mwale is the defending champion in the Men's A category while Mayamiko Pemba and Ellen Mpinganjira are defending champions in the Men's B and Women's categories respectively.

Mwale family conquers Lab Chess
February 02 2010

CHESS Association of Malawi (Chessam) honorary president Ackim Mwale has all the reasons to celebrate after his children dominated the fourth edition of Lab Enterprise Individual championship at Malawi Sun Hotel. Mwale's youngest child Joseph, 15, retained the championship for the third successive time after collecting five points while his elder brother Chuma finished second with 4.5 points.

George Mwale, 17, then sealed the top three positions after amassing four points. Joseph said the Lab championship was a consolation after failing to impress in the national team qualifiers recently. "It was awful to fail to make it into the national team squad for World Chess Olympiad. However, I can still afford to smile because I have defended this championship for the third time in a row," he said.

In Category B, fast improving Mayamiko Pemba lifted the championship with five points and he was followed by Vicus Mhango and Emmanuel Kalua on second and third positions respectively. Ellen Mpinganjira won the ladies championship with six points while Carol Mwale, sister to the deadly brothers, finished second with 4.5 points. Vitumbiko Gondwe also collected five points but she finished on third position after arbiters used buchholz tie breaker.

Southern Region Chess League chairperson Susan Namangale and Chessam vice president Mark , Chikoko thanked Lab Enterprise for supporting the league since 2007. "Lab Enterprise has demonstrated great commitment in the sport. Chess tournaments are now participated and enjoyed by a 1 diverse age group," Namangale said. Lab Enterprise executive director Noel Lipipa promised continued support. "I have both good and bad news. The good news is that we will continue supporting the tournament.

And tie bad news is that we will not' increase the sponsorship because Lab did not fair well on the market last year," he said. Deputy minister of youth development and sports Billy Kaunda, who become the first minister to grace Lab finals, urged chess officials to identify young players from schools. Kaunda while thanking Lab for the sponsorship, he also appealed to the corporate world to partner government in developing sports. Meanwhile, SRCL has become the first chess body to go on line. Kaunda officially launched the body's website; www.southmalawichess.com. Namangale said the website will help them to develop the sport.

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Mwale brothers in Lab chess finals
January 28 2010

Three Mwale brothers Chuma, Joseph and George are among the four chess players that have qualified to represent Lilongwe during the Southern Region Chess League's (SRCL) Lab Chess Championship finals at the College of Medicine (CoM).

The three brothers alongside Khama Chindole made it into the final stage of the competition's fourth edition after outclassing over 20 participants during the qualifying games at the Lilongwe Technical College.

Since last year, Mwale brothers Chuma and Joseph have been winning the championship interchangeably. "I am ready to conquer the South again. I have left no stone unturned in rny bid to keep the title," said Joseph, who is the defending champion.

The four Central Region chess players will join eight Southern Region eligible contestants Francis Banda, Mailosi Msikiimodzi, candidate master Joseph Chalemba, Michael Kulucheta, James Kamowa, Makhosi Nyirenda, Gift Machemba and Gilton Mkumbwa, in category A of the championships. In the competition's category B, the battle for honours will be among Samuel Kalua, Mayamiko Pemba, Stanley Biyasi, Vicus Mhango, Solomon Manda, Duncan Manda, John Mkumba, James Chimwere, Sachazi Sambo and Cliff Chinyama.

16 qualify for Lab finals
October 23 2009

SIXTEEN individuals have qualified for next november's Lab Enterprise Southern Region Chess League individual championship after impressing in the qualifiers at College of Medicine.

Former Lab champion James Kamowa emerged top in the Open category after scoring four points while second-placed Richard Chiona also amassed the same points. Rising Joseph Jere collected four points to finish third. The three were separated by Bucholz tie breakd. Kamowa said he harboured an ambition of winning the championship.

Chiletso Chipanga, Zengani Mkandawire, Francis Banda, Gilton Mkumbwa and Gift Machemba have also qualified. Chancellor college student Steve Nkhoma shone in category B of the championship after scoring 4.5 points to finish top. Brian Chonde finished second while Chandler Sesani came third.

The two scored four points each and they were separated by tie breaker. Raymond Chitedze, Simkonda, Steples Jere, John Nkumba, Blaston Gondwe and Charles Mbale also qualified for the finals. SRCL chairman Wesley Mankhomwa said they were excited with the performance. "The winners had to Struggle to qualify," he said.

Mankhomwa said girls did not take part in the qualifiers because they were seeded. "They will compete in the finals, which are scheduled for early next month." he said.

Battle for Lab chess finals
October 16 2009

Sixty players stand to participate in the Lab Enterprise chess league individual championship Southern Region qualifiers at the College of Medicine in Blantyre this mid October 2009.
Southern Region Chess League publicity secretary Gilton Mkumbwa said only eight players would reach the finals.

“We expect a tough battle as you can see 60 players contesting for eight places. It won’t be easy,” he said.

 The Central Region has already held the qualifiers which saw reigning champion Joseph Mwale emerging the winner.

 Others that sailed into the finals in the central region are Goodwell Manda, Davie Malango and Ackim Mwale. The finals are expected to take place later this month.

 Joseph is the favourite to win the title as his strongest contender Chuma Mwale would not be available.

 Chuma, who is Joseph’s brother, is sitting for 2009 Malawi School’s Certificate of Education Examinations.
 Other favourites at the competition include former champion James Kamowa and Kajani Kaunda.

 However, the duo; would need to pass through the qualifiers before dreaming of outclassing Joseph.

 The champion would pocket K120, 000 with the runner-up getting K7, 500 and the third positioned player would receive K5, 000.

 Lab Enterprise has been sponsoring the tournament for the past three years.

 On a similar note Chess Association of Malawi (CHESSAM) has suspended all its international programmes for the rest of the government financial year, opting to use the K4million allocated to it by Sports Council for internal programmes.

 Chessam publicity secretary Gilton Nkumbwa said the decision to suspend the international programmes was made at the association in Blantyre.

 “We got official communication from Council September that we would be allocated K4million this year. The amount is far below the K12million budget we submitted, meaning we have to do a review of all the proggrammes we have.

 “The council also advised us to prioritize development programmes over international participation. We saw a lot of wisdom in the council’s advice because if we participated in just one international competition, we will end up blowing, the whole amount,” said Mkumbwa.
 In light of the developments, Mkumbwa said the chess body would concentrate on local programmes like review of the body’s statutes, strengthening of regional structures, establishment of schools chess structures, purchase of chess equipment, training of young players and holding of local tournaments to groom the youngsters and identify fresh talent.
He said after fulfilling the local programmes, the body would identify strong male and female players expected to represent the country at the next year’s World Chess Olympiad scheduled for Russia in September 2010.

“Our plan is to send both s men and ladies’ teams at the Olympiad and we want to compete favourably against top teams other thanks just participating,” Nkumbwa.

Among the international programmes the body will forgo in 2009 include the Commonwealth Chess championship slated for Malaysia in December and the Africa Junior Chess championship slated for Cairo, Egypt in December 2009 or January 2010.

In August 2009  Chessam failed to participate at the Africa Individual Chess championship in Tripoli, Libya due to visa complications.

The hosts claimed they were given short notice by Chessam to process visas for Malawian representative Mwale and Richard Chiona.

Noh wins Lab Enterprise ball pool
August 5 2009

Korean Yong Noh conquered a field of 35 golfers to emerge champion of the maiden Lab Enterprise Wednesday ball pool at Blantyre Sports Club. With a splendid score of 20 points, Noh stood head and shoulders above the rest and got a driver as his prize. But the most enduring moment was not his classic performance on the course but rather the prize presentation ceremony.

Noh, who speaks English with great difficulty, sent the turnout into stitches of laughter when he was asked to make a victory speech. He took a long breath, looked around as if at a loss of words and then simply said: "Thank you!....Thank you very much!" He then rushed back to his seat. With a score of 19 points counted in was Robert Coombes who got a golf cover bag while Bardon Mbera came third and got a putter. Sope Kaira came fourth and received a wall clock while Kingsley Chimdima-Mhango was fifth on 18 points. He got a lobwedge—an iron golf club known for being the shortest-hitting wedge. Lab Enterprise managing director Noel Lipipa said his company decided to sponsor the tournament as one way of marketing its business.

Lab Enterprises deals in supply of laboratory and hospital equipment. "We also thought it wise to bring the golfers together as is the culture every Wednesday," said Lipipa, He also said Lab Enterprise is planning to host a major tournament in October.

Lab impressed with chess competition
August 4 2009

Lab Enterprises Limited says people fail to defend the Lab Southern Region Chess League A Division Championship because of stiff competition, which the sponsors are proud of. The company's managing director Noel Lipipa said this in reaction to the results of the second edition of the competition which produced a new winner. Since the competition was launched in 2005, only James Kamowa has defended it once in the men's category while the other 15 winners have failed to defend the title.

Lilongwe-based Chuma Mwale failed to defend the championship which was won by his young brother Joseph. "This shows how tough and competitive this trqphy is and that is what enhances development of the sport which is our aim as sponsors. "Some competitions have been dominated by some individuals for a long time but this one is unique and we are proud to be associated with the league," said Lipipa.

Mwale won the tournament with five points while Kajani Kaunda came second with 4.5 points while Kamowa finished third. Gift Machemba retained the B category followed by Steven Khota while Wesley Mankhomwa finished third. Ndawonga Mwale won the ladies category and her runner up was Patricia Chihana while Vitumbiko Gondwe finished third.

According to SRCL publicity secretary Gilton Mkumbwa, the third edition will be played in September. The Lab competition is sponsored to the tune of K500 000 and is played in four editions.

Kaunda takes sole lead in Lab tourney
July 21 2009

The second edition of Lab Enterprises chess qualifiers started on a high note with Kajani Kaunda leading the First Division with three points, Kaunda defeated top player Stanley Mtuwa. He leads the 10-member division. He is followed by Sam Nkhwazi and James Kamowa on positions two and three respectively.

Peter Jailosi is fourth with two points and positions five to 10 are occupied by Stanley Mtuwa, Zengani Mkandawire, Chiletso Chipanga, Jack Chione, Mankhosi Nyirenda and Charles Chiwaya. They all have two points each. Kaunda faces a tricky fourth round fixture against former champion James Kamowa.

In the B Section, Wesley Mankhomwa, the chairperson of the league, is leading with three points while Gift Machemba, Steve Khota and Peter Khonde are tied on 2.5 points, Goodwin Ulaya, Brian Chionda, Steve Chingondo, Mayamiko Pemba and Handsome M'bwana tied on 2 points while Stapples Jere is on 10th position with 1.5 points.

The last three rounds will be played on July 25, 2009 at College of Medicine where the best 10 players will make it to the finals of each section

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Chuma wins Lab Chess
June 04 2009

The world seemed cruel for Lilongwe based 15-year-old chess whiz kid, Joseph Mwale on May 31 at Blantyre Sports Club, as he lost grip of his lead in the Lab Enterprise Southern Region individual chess championship's first edition finals to slip to eighth position with 2.5 points. But all was not cloudy for the Lilongwe-based chess contingent as Joseph's elder brother, Chuma, who was on the third position during the qualifiers a fortnight ago, managed to rise above nine Southern Region chess giants and win the category A of the championship with five points. Former national champion James Kamowa, who failed to impress during the last edition of the competition last year due to ill health, bounced back into the limelight to become a runner-up with 4.5 points, the same as third-placed candidate grandmaster Chiletso Chipanga but were separated by Bunchh's tile breaker.

Current national champion Richard Chiona lost a little bit of steam in the competition to claim fourth position with 3.5 points while long forgotten national player Fiskani Mwagomba who represented the country at various international competitions, including the German championships three years ago, resurfaced to grab the fifth position with 3 points. Apart from that, it was disaster for last years' first edition champion Michael Kulucheta and 2008 final edition's runner-up Dr. Francis Banda, after respectively limping to 7th and 10th positions with 2.5 points and none. "I knew I was in the lion's den and I had to fight tooth and nail to come out victorious. I have been winning various championships in the past but the fall of the Southern Region chess heavyweights will always make me proud and satisfied even if I decide to retire today," said Chuma.

The 19-year-old Form 4 sttident at Bwaila Secondary School has been champion of various chess competitions, including the 2007 national championship and the Central Region chess league last year. In the men's B category, it was Aggrey Mphepo who carried the day for the first time after participating in the "competition since Lab quarterly champion's inception in 2007 while Peter Jailosi and Lester Matewere came second and third, respectively. Ndaonga Mwale, runner-up in the ladies category last year, came tops after leading the 8-member section with five points followed by second-placed Upile Pulaizi and third-positioned Vitumbiko Gondwe, who accumulated 4 and 2.5 points, respectively.

During prize presentation, SRCL chairperson Wesley Mankhomwa thanked the sponsors for helping to uplift the sport while Malawi National Council of Sports administration manager Henry Mereka urged more companies to come in and support government's agenda of promoting the development of all kinds of sports in the country.

Lab Enterprises representative Friday Nhlane said his- organisation will continue to be associated with the mental sport in the country. "The country need wise individuals for development and we are proud to be associated with intellectual minds. We promise that we will continue with our support," he said.

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Women shy away from Lab chess championship
May 31 2009

The low turn-out of ladies during the qualifying games of the K500 000 Southern Region Lab Enterprise Individual Chess Championships' new season on Saturday at the College of Medicine (CoM) in Blantyre, signifies women's reluctance to play the sport, observers have said.

The competition has three categories; ladies, and men's A and B divisions. Ten players are required to qualify for the final games in each category but only four ladies; Ndaonga Mwale, Upile Pulaizi, Tumpale Mhango and Jacqueline Chimangafisi, showed up for (he event. The men's divisions had over 56 participants.

Last week, the sponsors challenged women to join the sport and offer stiff competition to Ellen Mpinganjira, who has been ladies' champion since the inception of the contest in 2007. Mpinganjira, who was absent on the first day of the qualifiers due to personal commitments has since warned that she will soon be contesting in the men's category if no female challenger comes in to give her a run for her money. Southern Region Chess League general secretary Gilton Mkumbwa, said: "I feel women have an inferiority complex about this mental game. They always think it is only men who can excel in the sport. "However, all the four girls that have turned-out for the qualifiers have made it into the finals. We will also incorporate six more ladies that will attend the final matches to patch-up the requisite number of players in the category," he said.

One of the present female players at the tournament, Ndaonga Mwale, who was the runner-up last season, said many ladies are shy to participate in chess competitions due lack of training equipment. "It is difficult for more ladies to get attracted to the sport or practice the game with men in the locations due to stigma. We need to be provided with chess facilities so that we can entice friends to join the sport," Mwale said.

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Lab Enterprises bounces back
May 20 2009

The Lab Enterprise Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) individual championship will be re-launched on Saturday at College of Medicine ending speculations that the sponsorship was withdrawn. The quarterly championship was supposed to start in February but it failed because the sponsors were sorting out logistical issues. SRCL publicity secretary Gilton Mkumbwa said they were relieved that the competition would start this weekend. "We were under pressure because of the uncertainty that surrounded the championship. Players were inquiring on when the competition would start," Mkumbwa said.

He said qualifying games would begin soon after re-launching the K500.000 championship. "We will hold a two-day qualifying tournament to select top 10 players from each of the three categories," he said

The Lab championship is competed for in open, ladies and category B. Mkumbwa said players would play three rounds of Swiss pairing each day. "The qualifying games will be played using classical chess time control that requires an individual to make at least 20 moves in one hour," he said. The publicity secretary said the sport had developed since the introduction of the competition in 2007.

Currently Joseph Nyambalo is the defending champion in open category while Ellyn Mpinganjira is the ladies defending champion. Innocent Bamusi is the champion for category B. Lab Enterprise executive director Noel Lipipa said they were committed to the development of the sport. "We are re-launching the championship to reaffirm our commitment to the development of the sport," he said. Lipipa thanked chess players, officials and fans for supporting them. "Even though we delayed in announcing this year's sponsorship they never came to pressurise us. They understood our situation and they had patience," he said.

(Local Newspaper)

Lab Ladies champion wants more challenges
(The Nation Newspaper) - January 26 2009

Lab Enterprise ladies chess champion Ellen Mpinganjira has expressed interest to participate in men's category. Mpinganjira said the move would help her to improve. "I think it is time to move forward. I have competed in ladies category for sometime. I need to face new challenges to improve my performance," she said.

The three times champion said she was winning most of the games in her category without much fighting. "There are some good players in the category, but in most cases I win without sweating," she said. "I need to play against tougher opponents to be made to think hard." Mpinganjira, who never lost a game in the championship, could have won the title four times but she failed because she did not participate in one event.

She also said the move would also encourage her female players to challenge their male counterparts. She cited South Africa's Mellisa Greef, who sometimes compete in men's category during international when Malawi hosted the event," she said.

Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) publicity secretary Gilton Mkumbwa said they would consider Mpinganjira's request. "Obviously it is a good idea because she will be exposed to a more competitive category," he said.

Mkumbwa said if the move would materialise Mpinganjira would become the second female to compete in category B. Currently veteran Seliana Sanga also competes in category B, which is the second toughest after category A.

Kamowa wins another Lab title
(The Nation Newspaper) - September 17 2008

James Kamowa is the first player to win the third edition of the Lab Enterprise Individual chess championship for the third time.

The former national champion collected five points during the two day championship that started at College of Medicine on Saturday before ending on Sunday at Sun Bird Mount Soche Hotel.

"It was not easy but 1 had a goal in mind. I am delighted with the achievement," the category A champion said.

Kamowa also paid tribute to the sponsors Lab Enterprise saying their sponsorship was helping in promoting the sport.

Mankhosi Nyirenda ended on second with 3.5 points while Lembani Undi finished third with three points.

The top three players went away with prize money and trophies.

In Category B Joseph Nyambalo won the championship with 4.5 points and was followed by Joe Soka and Viva Mpighu on second and third respectively. The two got 3.5 points each but they were separated by Buccholz tie break.

Ellyn Mpinganjira reclaimed her title in ladies category after amassing four points while Tapiwa Kacheche with three points ended second. Tumpale Mhango finished on third position with 2.5 points.

Southern Region Chess League chairman Wesley Mankhoma described the quarterly championship as competitive.

"During the qualifiers we saw the fall of notable chess players. This shows that chess is improving in ournegion,"he said.

The chairman also promised the sponsors to be transparent and accountable in the way they run the league.

"They promised us that with good management they will maintain and increase the sponsorship. So we will continue running the league inline with the constitution," Mankhoma said.

Malawi National Council of Sports administration manager Henry Mereka noted that chess was one of the sporting disciplines that are developing impressively. Southern Region Women in Sports official Emmie Mphande and Chess Association of Malawi treasurer Joseph Chalemba encouraged women to take up the sport seriously.

Lab Enterprise official Rriday Mtali said they were pleased with developments.

"We are particularly impressed with the number of ladies that are participating in the competition. During the first edition we had about four ladies and the other time we had seven. This time there were 12 of them. We commend the authorities lor making efforts to enable ladies to participate in large numbers," he said

Kamowa is Lab Chess 2nd Edition champion

Chuma Mwale leads Lab Chess qualifiers

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