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.