Clive Thabo Dube
HE sits on second position in terms of rankings in the game of chess in Bulawayo. His Zimbabwe ranking is 32 and on the African continent he sits on position 939, that’s according to The International Chess Federation (FIDE).
He is Tapiwa Jele who last year won the Tuverl Bulawayo Chess Association (BCA) Candidates tournament which was held at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST).
The 24 year old has many ambitions in the sport of chess, he disclosed in an interview with Zim GBC News that he is working hard in order to win the forth coming Bulawayo Chess Championship that is one of the biggest highlights on the board game’s calendar annually. The basketball player turned chess player said he owes his rise in the sport to the foundation that was laid by the Nkulumane Chess Club, where he began his career.
Jele previously won titles such as the Matabeleland South Championships and the BCA Championships and the Chess Association of Matabeleland North (CAMN) Lupane Open, and the MASCA Plumtree Open.
“The sky is the limit for me in the sport of chess but l face challenges in terms of finances to enable me to compete outside my country’s borders…one of my targets is the highest title awarded in the sport. In order for me to achieve this, l must reach an established classical rating of 2 500 and N3 Grand Master norms in international competitions.” Jele said.
He disclosed that he is happy with the mushrooming of chess clubs in the city of Bulawayo with clubs such as Bulawayo chess club, ZRP chess club, Checkmates, Fairbridge chess club, Nkulumane Chess Club amongst others.
Jele also disclosed that he is inspired by his Zambian rival Gillian Bwalya who like Tapiwa Jele is also an International Master (an international master earns the title after amassing 2500 rating points).
Meanwhile here is the top ten chess players list for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province.
Top Ten Chess Players In Bulawayo
1) Kudakwashe Sibanda
2) Tapiwa Jele
3) Castro Sibanda
4) Blessing Moyo
5) Liberty Moyo
6) Benson Chinodyanama
7) Irvin Machengedzero
8) Alms Machengedzero
9) Andile Ngwenya
10) Kenneth Ruchaka.
dubeclive8@gmail.com