Otto Zandell Nakapunda recently started a chess academy. This academy will still be launched officially. But already it is called "a big step forward in our quest to introduce chess to all Namibians" especially after the Namibia Sports Commission included chess in the sport family.

Last year, the Icelandic International Development Agency (ICEIDA), the Hrokurin Chess Club in Iceland and the Namibian Chess Federation (NCF) as well as the Ministry of Sport signed an agreement to support and promote chess development in Namibia. ICEIDA would spend US$ 272 000 for this project.

After introducing chess to the North, the NCF is now aiming to reach the masses in Namibia’s Southern parts. Primarily the focus is on quantity, but there is a great need to promote and teach quality chess as well. It was against tghis background that the Academy was formed.

One-hour classes will be conducted on Mondays and Wednesdays (Group 1) and Tuesdays and Thursdays (Group 2) Tuition fee is N$ 200 per player each month. Classes are held at the Theatre School, 63 Robert Mugabe Avenue (Windhoek). The tutor is Otto Nakapunda himself.