MBONGENI NHLANGANO OPEN CHAMP

MBABANE – “The undertaker has risen in Shiselweni.”

These were the words of the Eswatini Chess Federation (ECF) Tournament Director, William Siame, after Mbongeni ‘Nimzo’ Mabuza won the 2020 Nhlangano Chess Open this past weekend.

Last weekend, it was the 2020 Mbabane Chess Open, which was won by Simphiwe ‘Snow’ Dlamini for the first time.

“Confirmed dead by chess gods after he was beaten by tournament favourite Snow in the third round of the hell in the cell match, the mighty Nimzo rose up on the second day. 

‘‘To prove all doubters wrong, Mabuza overcame the biggest hurdle in the form of CM Sikhanyiso ‘Sikha’ Sihlongonyane in the fifth round. 

fluke

‘‘To show that it wasn’t a fluke, Nimzo beat Wandile in the last round to clinch the Nhlangano Open,” explained the director.

Siame further highlighted that clubmate CM Sikha came second with 4.5 after drawing a match with Snow in the last round. In third was Snow, who was beaten by unpredictable Nathi in the fourth round (4/6) Nathi settled for fourth also on 4/6.

“Congratulations to Nimzo. Surely you epitomise the power of not giving up no matter the upset,” added Siame.

Meanwhile, the EFA is relieved after government allowed the restart of chess.

effective

The ECF President, Dumisani Msibi, is of the idea that over board chess is much effective compared to online chess.

“We are happy to come back and play over board. Playing online is not the same as playing over board. The feel of the pieces, the two or three dimensions over board have an effect of real life feeling,” he said after the Mbabane Open.

The president added that it was also motivating and exciting to play against an opposition one could actually see instead of a computer. 

He noted that after the break, some of their players were practicing as they had improved while others were rusty. 

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