Five players have emerged as joint leaders of the 2026 Malawi Open Chess Championship after winning all three of their opening games as regional players battle for honours in Mponela, Dowa.
Zambia’s Kusanta Makanga and Timothy Kabwe, Malawi’s CM Joseph Nyambalo and Peter Nyama, and Mozambique’s Donaldo Paiva have each collected three points in the Open section.
The Open section has attracted 74 players, with competitors from Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe taking part in the three-day tournament organised by the Chess Association of Malawi (CHESSAM).
They are closely followed by Malawi’s FM Joseph Mwale and Zambia’s IM Gillian Bwalya, together with five other players who have 2.5 points.
Mwale, Malawi’s reigning champion, said he is determined to defend his title despite facing strong competition from players from across the region.
The close standings have set up a competitive second day, with three more rounds scheduled for today before the final three rounds on Sunday.
But as players fight for the Malawi Open title, CHESSAM is also appealing for support from the corporate world to help the national team prepare for the Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan next month.
CHESSAM vice-president Francis Kudzula said the association is facing financial constraints as it prepared to send 13 representatives to the international competition, which runs from September 14 to 29.
He said Malawi has the potential to continue making history on the international stage if the team received adequate support.
“The association is currently facing financial constraints,” Kudzula said, while calling on the corporate world to support the team’s preparations for the Olympiad.
The appeal comes as CHESSAM uses the Malawi Open to provide local players with an opportunity to compete against strong opposition from other countries.
In the women’s section, Zambia’s WFM Constance Mbatha leads the standings after winning all three of her opening games.
Mozambique’s Sandramo Shineva Rufino is second on 2.5 points, while six players, including Malawi’s Anny George, WFM Linda Jambo and Ellen Mpinganjira, have two points each.
Three more rounds will be played on Sunday, when the winners of the championship will be determined.
CHESSAM will also launch its new official website on Sunday. The platform, developed in partnership with Prime Relay, is expected to improve the association’s communication and publicity and provide a platform for engaging the chess community in Malawi and beyond.
With six rounds remaining, the five-way tie at the top leaves the Malawi Open title wide open, while CHESSAM continues preparations for Malawi’s participation at the international Chess Olympiad.
