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.

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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.

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