Coastal grands prix champions crowned

The sixth and seventh legs of the Bank Windhoek open chess championships in the grand prix calendar concluded last weekend at Walvis Bay’s Duinesig High School and Swakopmund’s Namib High School, respectively.Walvis Bay’s sixth grand prix saw Anthony Yaseen Yesuf lead the charge with outstanding back-to-back victories in the open section. He was followed by Erastus Gregorius Somaeb in second place and Timothy Kawani in third.In the women’s section, which was merged with the open section, Tanatswanashe Katsvara led the ladies’ charge, ahead of second-placed Neriah Gwanyanya and Rebekka Ninda.Swakopmund’s seventh grand prix charge was spearheaded by Candidate Master (CM) Moyo Dion with a flawless, unbeaten record. He was followed by Erastus Gregorius Somaeb in second and Arena FIDE Master (AFM) Ivan Boois in third.The women’s section, also merged with the open, was topped by Annalese Lao-Letty Brown, followed by Bo Ai Chen in second and Ebbie Haipinge in third.Out of excitement and passion for the game, chess player Romeo Morkel compiled highlights from the Swakopmund Open, describing its classical Swiss seven-round system as one of “intense focus and strategic brilliance in the relentless pursuit of growth in the Erongo Region.”Morkel described Dion’s perfect score as “worthy of a true champion – a testament to his consistency, calm demeanour and calculated precision on the board.”“Somaeb held his own against tough opposition, with strong, well-prepared games reflecting a player not just chasing the top but ready to claim it. His only defeat came against tournament leader [Dion],” he noted.Regarding Boois, who also claimed last October’s grand prix in Henties Bay, Morkel highlighted his “positional awareness and tactical sharpness, which helped him gain an edge over a tight field of contenders with unwavering focus and composure.”“Many talented young minds showed growth, confidence and sharp preparation, even those lower on the table. Players like Anthony Yaseen Yesuf, who is unrated, battled into the top 11,” he indicated.The next tournament in the grand prix calendar is the Bank Windhoek Gobabis Open Chess Championships, scheduled for this weekend at the Omaheke Regional Library.– mariud@nsh.com.na

Coastal grands prix champions crowned

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Coastal grands prix champions crowned

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