Cheziya High out to defend chess title

CHEZIYA High are readying for their national school’s chess championships title defence at a tournament scheduled from March 27 to 31 in Bindura.

The Gokwe-based school has been dominating local chess championships and last year represented the country at the World Youth Chess Championship in Montesilvano, Italy.

Winners of the tournament in Bindura will grab the sole ticket to travel for the Africa Youth Chess Championship to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa from July 14 to 27.

If they are successful in South Africa the Zimbabwean champions will be part of the World Youth Chess Championship to be held in Brazil from October 22 to November 2.

Cheziya has not lost some of their players who were part of the team last year which include Ezywell Mutema who is now in form two.

Cheziya High School chess coach Blessing Jenami is confident that they will defend their title and have been training hard ahead of the national championships.

“After representing the country last year at the World Youth Championship in Montesilvano, Italy we had a good experience so we cannot manage to miss out this year.

“I have confidence in the team which we have and I am hopeful that we will do well.

“We are happy that we will be in a position to defend our title and get an opportunity to represent the country once again.

“Cheziya is well known for their support for academics and sports and we are grateful to everyone who is supporting us.

“We are well known as the chess hub not in the Midlands alone but countrywide. We are happy that we will put Gokwe on the map once again by winning the tournament,” said Jenami.