The 10th Malawi Draughts-64 Championship was held in the capital of Malawi, Lilongwe, at the SIMAMA Hotel, from 23 to 25 August 2024. 52 athletes took part in the men’s championship, and 8 athletes in the women’s championship.
The 2024 Malawi Champions were International Masters Enock Banda for men and Suzen Kachepa for women!
See the results and report on the Suzgo Alpha Nkhoma.
10th Malawi Draughts64 Championship report
05-09-2024 The 10th Malawi Draughts-64 Championship was held in the capital of Malawi, Lilongwe, at the SIMAMA Hotel, from 23 to 25 August 2024. 52 athletes took part in the men’s championship, and 8 athletes in the women’s championship.
The 2024 Malawi Champions were International Masters Enock Banda for men and Suzen Kachepa for women!
This event became an important milestone in the history of Malawi draughts.
The men’s championship was held according to the Swiss system in 9 rounds.
The winners of the Malawi Men’s Championship were:
IM Enock Banda 15 points out of 18
Richard Manda 14 points out of 18
IM Moses Winesi 14 points out of 18
The women’s championship was held according to the round robin system.
The winners of the Malawi Women’s Championship were:
WIM Suzen Kachepa 13 points out of 14
Emma Matiyasi 13 points out of 14
Stella Banda 8 points out of 14
Tournament Report: 10th Malawi Draughts64 Championship
Venue: SIMAMA Hotel, Lilongwe
Dates: 23 – 25 August 2024
Men’s Category
Champion: International Master Enock Banda
Enock Banda once again showcased his mastery of the game, emerging as the tournament champion with an impressive 15 points out of a possible 18. His victory at this championship marks his fifth win in the series, solidifying his dominance in the Malawi draughts scene. Banda’s performance was consistent and strategic, proving why he is a force to be reckoned with in the draughts community.
2nd Place: Richard Manda
Richard Manda, a non-titled athlete, defied expectations by finishing in the second position with 14 points. His entry into the masters’ zone was one of the tournament’s most significant surprises, as he challenged the seasoned players and established himself as a formidable opponent.
3rd Place: International Master Moses Winesi
Moses Winesi, who also finished unbeaten, secured the third position with 14 points. His performance was commendable, maintaining his status as one of the top competitors in the championship.
4th Place: Otaniel Mwanaza
Another non-titled player, Otaniel Mwanaza, surprised many by finishing in fourth place with 13 points. Remarkably, Mwanaza remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, including in his game against the champion Enock Banda, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
5th Place: Dickson Geremu
Dickson Geremu, a relatively unknown player, delivered a stunning performance, finishing in fifth place with 13 points. His unexpected rise in the rankings was one of the highlights of the championship.
Women’s Category
In the women’s category, only eight athletes participated, but the competition was no less fierce.
Champion: IMF Suzen Kachepa
IMF Suzen Kachepa emerged as the winner of the women’s championship with 13 points. Her consistency and strategic play were key to her success, securing her position at the top of the standings.
2nd Place: Emma Matiyasi
Emma Matiyasi finished in second place, tied with Kachepa at 13 points. Their head-to-head game ended in a draw, but Kachepa edged out Matiyasi based on scores, demonstrating the razor-thin margins at the top level of competition.
3rd Place: Stella Banda
At just 12 years old, Stella Banda finished in third place with 8 points, showcasing her potential as a future star in the sport.
The 10th Malawi Draughts64 Championship was a resounding success, highlighting both seasoned champions and emerging talents. The full results are attached to this report.
Reported By Suzgo Alpha Nkhoma
General Secretary
