The Wernhill Park Rapid Chess tournament took place on Saturday the 20. March. 66 players participated, and the tournament was also very well attended by spectators. The main attraction for chess followers was the participation of GM Henrik Danielsen who, on behalf of the tournament organiser ICEIDA, along with fellow chess teacher Kristian Guttesen has come to Namibia to visit schools in the Windhoek area. The tournament sported some of Namibia’s finest chess players alongside 21 juniors, and playing seven rounds of the Swiss system meant that everyone had a chance of playing against the grandmaster.

Kanjanga Mukwena, aged 16, was the Junior Champion followed by Stephné Swartz, aged 12, and Celeste Swartz, aged 15. They all received four out of seven winnings which is a grand score in such a strong tournament. Stephné Swartz was furthermore the winner of the Women’s Championship.

The highest placed local player, and therefore crowned the Tournament Champion, was chess teacher Helmuth Leicher who managed six winnings, losing out only to the grandmaster. In second place came Otto Zandell Nakapunda and in third place Klaus Roerkohl, both scoring 5½ points.

All children were entered into a prize draw at the end of the tournament, thus receiving various gifts such as chess sets, chess books and t-shirts.

Place Name Score

1 Danielsen, Henrik 7

2 Leicher, Helmuth 6

3 – 4 Nakapunda, Otto Zandell 5½

Roerkohl, Klaus 5½

5 – 11 Gallert, Peter 5

Tjipueja, Werner 5

Leicher, Otto 5

Bere, Alphonce 5

Eichab, Charles Sidney 5

Silver, Willem 5

Nangula, Toivo 5

12 – 15 Ehrich, Thomas 4½

Nitzborn, Max 4½

Ingwe, Kipande 4½

Ujamba, Therence 4½

16 – 26 Gertze, Herman 4

Haoseb, Quinton 4

Mukwena, Kanjanga 4

Kandjengo, Deddy 4

Swartz, Stephné 4

Swartz, Celeste 4

Kangwa, Mwaba 4

Nyembo, Makoti Didier 4

Diemer, Armin 4

Voigts, Gustav 4

Dierstaan, Theodat 4

27 Isaak, Jessica 3½

28 – 37 Mukwena, Mandandi 3

Karuaera, Allison 3

Christelis, Annette 3

Christelis, Heide-Rose 3

Christelis, Carina 3

Tjombonde, Eidwin Mbariotjaene 3

Schaum, Christoph 3

Irlich, Gunter 3

Isaak, Julian 3

Lunz, Christian 3

38 – 40 Malaquias, Romeo 2½

Theil, Christian 2½

Nels, Evanjo 2½

41 – 44 Dionisius, Karlus 2

Kasch, Lothar 2

Phillemon, Joesphene 2

Akpokiniovo, Tejiri 2

45 – 46 Rugharo, Zedwich 1½

Akpokiniovo, Kevwe 1½

47 – 48 Beuikes, Franco 1

Vanzijl, Lutz 1

ICEIDA and The Chess Federation are also staging an open chess tournament between the 8. – 10. April where the grand prize for the highest placed Namibian player is a three week travel to Iceland with accommodation included. This player will receive intensive chess lessons from the grandmaster and will also have the opportunity to participate in a strong Icelandic chess tournament. Those who wish to register for The Namibian Icelandic Open Chess Tournament should contact The Chess Federation on Tel: (081) 122 1183 and (081) 292 3461. Furthermore, schools in the Windhoek area are welcome to request a visit from the chess teachers before this tournament.

( Article by Kristian Guttesen )