HPCL shockers and upsets in Round 20
The HPCL Round 20 brought more shockers and upsets as Harare City tasted their first defeat of the season at the hands of none other than Zimworx Knights. The level of competition is now on a whole new level. Every weekend, we are witnessing epic upsets.
Zimworx are proving to be a tougher side after their transfer window signings. In Round 19, Zimworx held Inform UZ to a 3-all draw. Praise Kunaka signalled what was to come when he quickly defeated Andrew Cheza on Board 6. A quick survey of the other boards showed that Zimworx has an advantage on almost 4 Boards. Terrence Muleya managed to convert against Mushore on Board 1, next it was Oscar Musakwa who dismissed Elisha Chimbamu on Board 3. Harare City’s only win came from Malije Gibson on Board 4. Zimworx won 4-2 after Tinashe Chinhanga escaped with a mercy draw against Collen Chikwature on Board 2.
Chitown Masters faced up to UZ Chess Club in an anticipated encounter. True to the whole week banter and promises by the UZ Students Chitown were lucky to escape with a draw after Tanaka Katsande, Shingirai Chiweshe and Tinodaishe Tayengwa were handed defeats. The Masters got relief from Mugove Muririma, who beat Alms Machengedzero on Board 1, Delight Kagogoda dismissed Chikoya on Board 2, and Nyagona Simbarashe beat Courage Mavhunga on Board 6. It was a nail-biting match at one point, the result hung in the balance on 2 final boards: Board 1 (Muririma-Alms) and Board 3 (Katsande – Garamukanwa)
In another encounter, Axis Chess Club tested their beefed-up squad against a solid CBZ side, which eventually won the match thanks to wins by Emmanuel Rabvu, Lawrence Tavagwisa, and Linda Shaba. IA Vezha won his league debut match against Stanley Matiya, but it was not enough to save their day.
Mhondoro are licking their wounds after a 6-nil trashing at the hands of the log leaders, Waterfalls Chess Club. They certainly found the waters too deep for their hunt.
Earlier on, before the games commenced, Joseph Hwata of Mhondoro Chess Club and Tanaka Katsande of Chitown Masters received their Player of the Month awards for June and July, respectively.
