By Duncan Mlanjira
So far over 10 kids have registered for Malawi’s highest rated player, Joseph Mwale’s Chess Academy that is set to roll off on Thursday, July 2 and some of the students are based in Australia, USA, South Africa.
This first-ever innovation training will be held every Thursdays and Sundays from 17:00hrs and the fee is K3,000 per student per lesson and there will also be discounted rates for families with 2 or more students registered.
Joseph Mwale
the lessons will be conducted on Zoom and Google Meet platforms and there will be tournaments for the students on Saturdays, whose top three winners will get coaching for free in the next lesson.
In an interview, Mwale — who is a FIDE Master professional player and coach based in the South Africa — said following the enrollment of the kids in diaspora he has created another platform to accommodate them since when it’s 5pm in Malawi in other countries it’s midnight.
SA player Mwale has trained, Keith
Khumalo
“So, I am planning private lessons for the Malawian kids in the diaspora to suit the times in their host countries.
“We have started slowly but we will keep moving to make this initiative big and better,” he said.
Those interested to join are asked to contact Mwale through +27610865650 or through josephmwale5@gmail.com and payments will be made to his brother George through Airtel Money or TNM Mpamba or the Academy’s bank account.
FIDE Master Naseem Essa
Mwale’s assistant coaches are his brother George, who is a Candidate Master as well as another CM Petros Mfune and Tshediso Mpya.
Mwale, who is an African Online Champion, is in South Africa earning a living through playing and coaching chess.
He has trained many South Africans, who from scratch went on to attain titles that include that country’s top Under-18 champion, Candidate Master Keith Khumalo and FIDE Master Naseem Essa.
Coronavirus alert
“I believe anyone can improve their level given the right training,” he said. “My passion is to shape my compatriots after seeing the potential they possess.”
Soon after South Africa went on lockdown due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, the chess genius introduced an online tournament which he also involved Malawian youths.
They were playing the games on Lichess app and were also being used for rating.
Coronavirus alert: Magufuli style of greeting
other
Mwale, who became a chess star in Malawi at a tender age of 8, said the juniors he has been interacting with so far are very good and in the group he also has Malawi national junior team players as well as Under-16 team players for South Africa.
He is currently Gauteng North Under-20 coach but this online group coaching is strictly for Malawian players to improve their level of the game.
Coronavirus alert
“I am targeting mostly Under-20 and with time, I will divide them into 2 groups — beginners and advanced.
“I already run private lessons with more than 7 Malawian students online and that prompted me to open up to as many as possible,” he said.