By Duncan Mlanjira
As chess players on their whatsapp group were wishing birthday wishes on Thursday to Malawi’s top rated player, Joseph ‘The Fear’ Mwale, an idea suddenly was brought up to celebrate it in a special way through a tournament.
Immediately, Chess Association of Malawi president Susan Mwale chipped in and made a pledge of K10,000 and was followed suit by other members of Mwale Chess Academy with further contributions.
Namangale, CHESSAM president
Impressed with the response, Mwale linked up with his Malawi-based brother, George and came up with a prize list — that has Malawi category champion winning K10,000; runner-up K7,000; third-place K5,000; 4th K4,000 and 5th K3,000.
Any win against Joseph is to receive K2,000; the Best Female and Best Junior is to receive K3,000 each.
The cash prize for the best South African player is R200; runner-up R150; third-place R100; 4th R80 and 5th R70 while the Best Female to get R50.
In the process, as more and more players confirmed their participation, Egyptian Grandmaster — a close friend to Joseph — got interested and asked if he could also participate.
Mwale and Candidate Master Chiletso Chipanga
In his birthday message, Candidate Master Petros Mfune, who is Mwale Academy’s assistant coach together with Joseph’s brother George and South African Tshediso Mpya, said: “Happy birthday to the finest chess player in Malawi. To good health, success and maturity.”
To which Namangale responded: That’s the word ‘Finest’! — if I am to say this about Jose.
“I have known Joseph when he was a very little boy, before he even became ‘The Fear’. I have seen him grow and perfect his chess skills as well as becoming a more responsible chess player helping in advancing the chess agenda.
Reminiscences of the past
“I have seen Jose improving in all aspects of his life, including exceptional behaviour — making him to be not only a fine chess player but a fine dad, husband, friend and a fine coach.
“May God keep perfecting you to achieve all that your heart desires,” Namangale said.
Joseph responded to this by applauding Namangale, Malawi’s first ever female chess president, for her inspiration role she has played for the sport, especially grooming players from the grassroots.
“You have inspired us to become better players and great leaders just like you are,” he said.
Malawi Chess Academy lessons are held every Thursdays and Sundays from 17:00hrs conducted on Zoom and Google Meet platforms and there tournaments for the students on Saturdays, whose top three winners get coaching for free in the next lesson.
Mwale, who is an African Online Champion, is in South Africa earning a living through playing and coaching chess.
Mwale’s chess academy
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.
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 and spurred him to launch his own online academy.
Mwale, who became a chess star in Malawi at a tender age of 8, is currently Gauteng North Under-20 coach.
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