THE HARARE PRO CHESS LEAGUE TAKES THE CHESS SPACE BY STORM!

The Harare Chess Society through the Harare Pro-Chess League is generating the much-needed positive buzz for the royal game of chess in Harare. The well-organized League has even caught the attention of players outside the capital, with some players flocking from as far as Bulawayo to play in the first-ever FIDE-Rated League in the country.

Donald Mbondo a former U20 National player who represented Zimbabwe in Mexico and winner of the 2024 JR Mawere Individual Schools Chess Tournament, featured in his first game for Immortals Chess Club on Saturday. He had to travel from Bulawayo where he is based. “My team has a very difficult upcoming fixtures so I will be camping in Harare for the next 2 weeks,” said Mbondo in a side interview after a win over Adolf Muungani of Waterfalls Chess Club.

Mr Fortune Ganadwa the founder and Chairperson of Mhondoro Chess Club is the Vice Chairman of Mashonaland Central Chess Association but is also featuring for his club in the League. On Saturday he lost against Tinaye Katsande from Chi-Town Masters Chess Club in a tightly contested match.
So many chess clubs have sprouted since the Harare Pro-Chess League was launched last year. Surely this brings a great appreciation of the game in the capital as many chess players fight to participate in the FIDE-Rated League. Chess Clubs that have emerged since the league started include Mhondoro Chess Club, Harare Polytechnic Chess Club and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Chess Club.

Harare Polytechnic Chess Club were awarded a default win after their opponents Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Chess Club did not show up for their fixture. The Wardens are now sitting at the bottom of the log table in the League. Last year’s winners Harare City were held to a surprise 3-all stalemate by Belvedere Freepiece. This was the first fixture in which the defending champions did not win their match this season falling to 3rd place on the log table as a result.

Chess teaches resilience, discipline, foresight and strategy. We are witnessing the highest level of professionalism in the League from the players and administrators as there have been no incidences of discord since the 2024 Season started.

The Harare Professional Chess League is a double round-robin tournament, for chess clubs in Harare. The League is registered with the Zimbabwe Chess Federation and is in its second year running.