The Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) yesterday unveiled the country’s Under-16 team for the World Chess Olympiad, set to take place in Colombia from August 14th to August 23rd. This marks a significant milestone for Zimbabwean chess, as it’s the first time the country has fielded a team in the Under-16 category.
The team consists of:
- Tapiwa Gora (Team Captain)
- Amith Boddapati
- Amyra Jain
- Danmore Mashawa
- Carol Ndlovu
The team members were selected based on their outstanding performance in recent tournaments, including the Africa Youth Chess Championship in Kenya and a national team tournament held at Dominican Convent.
Tapiwa Gora, the team captain, expressed confidence in the team’s abilities, emphasizing that they are the best of the best in the country. Agab Dozva highlighted the importance of promoting chess among young scholars, citing its potential to positively impact their social connections and mindset.
This development comes as Zimbabwean chess shifts focus towards nurturing young talent, recognizing the benefits of chess in shaping cognitive abilities and mental capacity from an early age. Currently, a team from Dominican Convent is participating in the World Schools Championship in Washington D.C., demonstrating Zimbabwe’s growing presence in international chess competitions.