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.
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CHESS Association of Malawi says the newly-introduced ladies category in the Lab Enterprise individual championship will help them to inspire women to form a formidable national team to participate at World Olympiad shortly. 
Some female chess players have welomed the introduction of the ladies' category in this year's edition of Lab Enterprise Individual Open Chess championship which got underway on Saturday at the Institute of Technology and Management (Item) in Blantyre
