2023 Schools and Youth Closed Chess Championships kicks off at OYDC Zambia

OYDC Zambia is currently hosting young talented youths who are participating in the 2023 Zambia Chess Youth Schools Tournament to run from 28 April to 1 May 2023.

The Championship has been organised by Zambia Chess Federation with support from the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) which has provided a competition venue through the OYDC Zambia.

Over 100 chess players in different age groups are competing with top players standing a chance to be selected to join the junior national teams.

President of the National Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association of Zambia (NOC/CGA Zambia) Alfred Foloko who officially opened the tournament disclosed that his committee fully supports and encourages events that promote sports development and provide opportunities for young people to participate in sports.

Foloko who was accompanied by NOC/CGA Zambia Secretary General Boniface Kambikambi reiterated the Olympic Movement’s firm support to promote and develop sports at all levels and ensure that young talent is identified and nurtured at the grassroots level.

Meanwhile, Zambia Chess Federation president Leslie Chikuse, announced that at the end of the tournament, players will have a national rating and will be able to gauge how good they are when they start competing on an international level.

He added that the federation will also use the tournament to identify players who will be trained to become grandmasters adding that Zambia was the first country in Africa Sub Sahara Region to produce the first grandmaster in the name of Amon Simutowe. He expressed hope that the young talented chess players competing are the future grand masters of Zambia.

At the same event, a chess book written by James Dimba titled ‘How to Play Chess & Why You Should Play It’ was officially launched by NOC/CGA Zambia president Alfred Foloko and will be presented to the top 12 players while other copies will be on sale.

The event was witnessed by UPND National Youth spokesperson Gilbert Liswaniso, Parents and several sponsors of the event among others.