Zimbabwe Chess shines at the 45th Chess Olympiad

Zimbabwe Chess teams performed well at the 45th Chess Olympiad held in Budapest, Hungary from the 10th to the 23rd of September 2024. Team Zimbabwe finished 2nd in Africa and occupied position 56 on World rankings at the end of the historic event.

Team Zimbabwe Open captained by Tapiwa Gora comprised of IM Farai Mandizha, IM Rodwell Makoto, FM Roy Mwadzura, Emerald T Mushore and Vitalis Mapuranga. The ladies line up had WCM Kudzanayi Charinda, Christine Makwena, Shaba L Dalisto, Colleta Wakuruwarewa, and Melissa T Zengeni. The squad brimmed with local talent, 5 of the players came from the 2024 Harare Professional Chess League.

India clinched double gold finishing first in the open section as well as the women section. This historic double asserts the Indian dominance that we have seen in recent years. GM Gukesh led the men’s team as he prepared for the World Championship against GM Ding Liren of China later this year. GM Ding left the Olympiad without a single win only managing to draw all of his 7 games.