Story by Mthokozisi Dube
BULAWAYO-based Chessmates Academy is expanding grassroots chess development after staging its fifth junior tournament, which attracted learners from 12 schools.
The competition brought together school pupils and academy players, highlighting the growing interest in chess among young people while promoting inclusivity and talent development.
Participants said the tournament provided valuable competitive experience and called for more events to help sharpen their skills.
“What inspired me to play chess is that it is an academic sport which improves your thinking capacity. It was my first time to participate, but I really enjoyed myself,” said one participant.
“Chess has helped me improve academically; hence I am now the vice head girl at my school,” another participant said.
Chessmates Academy has partnered the National Association of Primary Heads and the Zimbabwe Chess Federation to broaden participation in schools.
Bulawayo Province Head-in-Charge of Chess, Mr Perseverance Hadebe, praised the initiative for promoting inclusion and creating opportunities for learners to compete.
“We appreciate what Chessmates Academy has done to host this tournament. Of interest is that it promoted inclusivity, with King George VI having a deaf player competing in the Under-14 category. The tournament also gave learners an opportunity to network while growing the sport,” he said.
Academy founder Ms Prisca Sibanda said the organisation is also training teachers to strengthen chess programmes in schools and plans to extend the initiative to rural communities.
“This is our fifth tournament as Chessmates Academy. What makes this tournament unique is that it brought together learners from different backgrounds and environments. Our goal is to expose learners to international academies, as we have done before, while also bringing rural schools on board,” she said.
With participation continuing to grow, Chessmates Academy believes chess can play a key role in developing critical thinking skills while nurturing the next generation of players.
