Ndahangwapo completes historic national treble

Namibia’s chess sensation, Candidate Master (CM) Heskiel Ndahangwapo, has made history as the first player to win the national title three years in a row.

This follows his commanding performance at the Bank Windhoek National Closed Championship held last weekend.

Ndahangwapo had a slow start to the campaign, picking up a loss to eventual runner-up CM Goodwill Khoa and a draw with Sibusiso Angula in the early rounds. He attributed these setbacks to hasty decisions in critical moments and overlooking his opponents’ counterplay.

“I had better positions in both these games, so it was quite disappointing to only come away with half a point after two rounds. I did not dwell much on it, rather shifting my focus to the positives from the following rounds,” he said.



Learn from mistakes

He pointed out that he didn’t ignore the lessons from the early-round setbacks either.

“It showed me anything can happen. I thus looked forward to the next game and made the necessary changes to counter my mistakes, as is something I teach my students,” he remarked.

The country’s reigning champion went on to win the remaining seven rounds, fortifying his claim to the title ahead of Khoa (seven points) and third-placed Petrus Kawende (six points).

“[Winning a treble] brings me a lot of joy, especially seeing that it was never done before. It also boosts my confidence as I prepare for upcoming tournaments,” he noted.



‘I expected prominent players’

He, however, lamented the absence of some of the country’s prominent players, whom he had hoped to face, as it would have been crucial preparation for the Chess World Cup, scheduled for later this year in India.

“I would normally expect the likes of International Master (IM) Dante Beukes, CM Charles Eichab, CM McLean Handjaba and Jossy Uapingene on the list of opponents. Had they played, it would have been a different experience,” he said.



Women’s champion

In the Women’s Section, Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Jamie-Nicole Beukes successfully defended her title undefeated to secure back-to-back national wins.

She reigned supreme ahead of Lutopu Khoa in second (eight points) and WCM Jolly-Joice Nepando in third (five and a half points).

In the B-Section, Stefan Becker went undefeated to finish ahead of National Master (NM) Dudley Noreseb and Festus Petrus.

Meanwhile, in the women’s B-Section, Maryke Mouers claimed top spot, followed by Tapiwanashe Katsvara and Brigite Karuomuini.

– [email protected]