Zambia-Zimbabwe Kasparov – Chris Flowers International Child Chess Tournament attracts 84 competitors

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Chali Mulenga, Freelance Journalist, Livingstone, Southern Province, Zambia, Southern Africa

Zambia Zimbabwe international chess tournament which has attracted 84
children has kicked off in Livingstone.

The tournament which has attracted 14 schools from the two sister
countries, is being held at Highlands secondary School in the tourist
capital.

Zambia has 48 children whilst Zimbabwe has 36 children competing in
the tournament.

This is the second time the two countries are meeting in this tournament.

The tournament which is sponsored by the Kasparov Chess Foundation,
Anne and Chris Flowers Foundation.

During the official opening Livingstone District Education Board
Secretary (DEBS), Aiden Kambunga said the chess initiative in the
eight schools in the district has reached 1000 learners.

Kambunga said the programme began two years ago and in Zimbabwe it
began the other year.

He said chess helps to improve the way of the players think even in
their learning.

Kambunga said children should take up the challenge of being chess
players as it take them around the world.

He said the sport can even help them to be millionaire as they travel
the world.

“We appreciate the love of the game and we want you to ensure that you
spread it to the other 58 schools in the district or even at least 38
school,” Kambunga said.

“We are ready for the challenge of promoting chess in schools” he said.

Kambunga said chess development means work for the children in the schools.

And Anne and Chris Flowers Foundation, founder, Chris Flowers said he
has been playing chess for a long time.

“Chess helps your skills it can be fun game and it is the same
everywhere as over a billion people play the game,” he said.

“Chess is very easy for children as it helps their mental
factuality,” Flowers said

He said he wants the next world chess champion to come from Zambia or
Zimbabwe in Africa.

“We want to see more women participation in chess at the championship
level, I have been working with Kasparov who used to be chess
grandmaster for over 20 years,” Flowers said.

He said Africa has potential for the development of chess as the sport
is gaining popularity.

Lead Trainer, Project Chess Zimbabwe Kripo Chivhenge said there is
need for more countries in the region to be part of the tournament.

He said this tournament is important for the children as it helps
them in mathematics and sciences.

Highlands Secondary School head teacher Loveness Mulundano said there
is need to enhance chess in Africa countries.

She said children have improve in problem solving as it gives them
holistic development.

Mulundano said they have gain confidence in mathematics and sciences.

—

Chali Mulenga

260 955 390 898/0967

260 979 777136

Freelance Journalist

Livingstone, Zambia
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