Zimurinda bullish about winning chess championship

Vision Chess Club (VCC)’s Ben Tom Zimurinda remains confident about his chances of winning the 2017 National Individual Chess Championship, whose last four games will be played this weekend. Despite the fact that Candidate Masters (CMs) Godfrey Kabera and Maxence Murara lead the table after day two, last Sunday, Zimurinda, who is playing catch-up, remains undeterred. He told Saturday Sport that his “mindset is to win the tourney.” Third in the table with three points, Zimurinda knows that he faces a very tough challenge against CM Kabera in their round five encounter on Saturday. “I have to win that game and nothing else, to boost my chances. I will give it my all and leave little to luck,” Zimurinda said on Thursday. Last weekend, Zimurinda started off on a good run by beating youngster Rongin Munyurangabo, 17, Anastase Nyandwi and 2015 national champion Alain Patience Niyibizi respectively before he lost to Murara in the fourth round. A loss to Kabera on Saturday morning can only serve to dent Zimurinda’s hopes of becoming Rwanda’s 2017 champion, and he knows it. Excitement in the contest is not only provided by games involving players on top of the table but a more fascinating contest will be on the bottom where people will be more than inclined to save face. The tournament will decide Rwanda’s 2017 champion, in the open and ladies’ section. The ladies’ contest, earlier postponed due to some participants’ school schedule, begins this weekend with four ladies playing four rounds in a single round robin format. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Zimurinda bullish about winning chess championship