* Overall, MPS and MDF tied on points, but MPS consequently prevailed based on the Buchholz tie-break system
* The Prisons team grabbed third position while the Immigration finished fourth
* Candidate Master (CM) Alfred Chinthere and his wife Bertha were the standout performers winning Best Player awards
Maravi Express
Malawi Police Service (MPS) chess team has claimed the gold medal despite missing key players at the Inter-Security Agencies Sports Festival (ISASF) currently underway at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
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The MPS team was earmarked to feature their key players — Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sam Nkhwazi; Assistant Superintendent Brian Chionda; Inspector Emmanuel Chionela, Inspector Mkumbira; Inspector Caroline Kachikho; and Sub-Inspector Manfred Nyirongo, among others
However, due to the exigencies of work, the main team players failed to make it to the tournament and the gap was filled by upcoming players that included Sub-Inspector Godfrey Phambala, Sub-Inspector Kingstone Mnelemba, Sergeant Kingsley Chikwiri and Sergeant Hendrix Misinde.
The only experienced player was Sub-Inspector Missi Malunga while the ladies were Sub-Inspector Bertha Chimthere and Sub-Inspector Edith Nkhoma.
Nonetheless, the young team still defied the odds, winning against the Immigration and Prison teams, before drawing with the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) team, and consequently prevailing based on the Buchholz tie-break system.
Overall, MPS and MDF tied on points, but the MPS scored 19, while the MDF had to settle for silver after scoring 18. The Prisons team grabbed third position while the Immigration finished fourth.
The Police team emerged champions on individual player scores as they accumulated five match points after winning two games and drawing one.
They matched MDF’s record of two victories and one draw. However, Police secured the top position with 24 individual points against MDF’s 23, demonstrating how crucial every individual result was in determining the tournament standings.
The Prison team finished third with two match points after recording one victory in the competition.
The battle between Police and MDF highlighted the competitive nature of the Inter-Security Chess Games, with both teams displaying impressive consistency throughout their matches.
Although the two sides finished level on match points, Police’s superior individual score proved decisive, giving them the championship by a narrow margin of just one point.
CM Alfred Chinthere and his wife Bertha emerged as Best Players
CM Chinthere dominates individual competition
Candidate Master (CM) Alfred Chinthere was one of the standout performers of the tournament, emerging as the Best Player after winning every game he played in the male category.
His unbeaten run underlined his strength and consistency at the board, making him a deserved recipient of the individual accolade.
Chinthere’s achievement was made even more special by the success of his wife, Bertha Chinthere, who emerged as the Best Player in the ladies’ section — marking the tournament’s memorable family affair.
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Their success demonstrated the growing participation and competitiveness of players across the security institutions, while highlighting the ability of chess to bring together talent, discipline and strategic thinking.
The Sports Festival’s chess provided a platform for players from the security institutions to demonstrate their analytical skills, discipline and competitive spirit.
Police’s narrow victory over MDF illustrated the importance of individual contributions in team chess, where a single point can determine the final outcome.
As chess continues to attract players from different institutions, events of this nature offer an opportunity to strengthen the sport, nurture talent and promote healthy competition among security personnel.
Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito
When opening the inaugural Inter-Security Agencies Sports Festival at Bingu Stadium in Lilongwe, Minister of Homeland Security, Peter Mukhito, highlighted that the festival is more than sport but a celebration of courage and sacrifice.
He took note that behind every uniform is a father, mother, or child who makes personal sacrifices for the peace and safety of Malawians.
“Your sacrifices are recognised, your service is appreciated and your commitment to Malawi will never be taken for granted,” he, said, adding that the festival brings together different security institutions with different responsibilities and traditions but united by one common purpose of protecting the country.
He urged participants to uphold sportsmanship, professionalism and discipline: “On the sporting field, you will compete as rivals, in the service of our nation, you remain partners, so am urging athletes to compete with passion, respect opponents and win with humility.”—Reporting by Byton Mchikho, MPS Media & Patience Longwe, Malawi News Agency (MANA); editing by Duncan Mlanjira; Maravi Express
