Jele, Makwena, crowned 2025 National Chess Champions

Tapiwa Jele and Christine Makwena were crowned the 2025 National Chess Champions at the 2025 CBZ National Chess Championship which concluded on Saturday. Jele won the Open section while Makwena defended her ladies’ section title.

Convincingly Tapiwa Jele garnered 7 out of 9 possible game points to win the championship ahead of FM Roy Mwadzura, FM Zhemba Jemusse, and the 2024 Champion Emarald Mushore. Jele was an underdog going into this tournament and not many people saw him coming yet he only lost to Zhemba throughout the tournament.

Christine Makwena once again proved too strong for her lady counterparts ending the tournament with 7.5 points out of a possible 9. Makwena did not lose any match in the entire tournament only drawing with club teammate WCM Kudzanai Charinda, Mhondoro Chess Club’s Tatenda Ndou and Linda Shabba.

The 2025 National Chess Champions earned a qualifying ticket to represent the country at the African Individual Chess Championship in Egypt this May.

Winners of the 2024 Cabs Candidates Tournament Tanaka Katsande and Ropafadzo Dube ranked number 7 and 9 respectively at the 2025 CBZ National Chess Championship