LIVINGSTONE is known for its tourism exploits in Zambia and that has seen the Southern Province city earn a status as the country’s tourist capital.
But even in the face of tourism, the SPECTRUM explored in the tourist capital to bring out the budding sporting talent it harbours.
Livingstone is home to one of Zambia’s budding stars who has taken Southern Province by storm and has positioned himself as the face of the tourist capital in the sport of chess.
Having been crowned best player of Southern Province recently after out-smarting his opponent during the Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula Memorial chess tournament in Livingstone, Engelbert Malambo is the king of chess in the Southern region and an undisputable champion.
Famous for his confident and unpredictable style of play, he embodies the spirit of exceptional thinking during matches; a style that has propelled him to subdue his opponents.
Malambo 14, strictly competes in schools and his uncompromising approach to the game mirrors the exploits of a rising star in whom Zambia can rely to bring forth silverware.
For one to be the best chess player and winner for that matter, they must learn how to attack, control the centre, develop the pieces, make a threat with every move, exploit or defend loose pieces and seek the best moves.
He calculates with superb precision, while making very few outright mistakes. A good proportion of the ‘very best’ moves have turned him into a little chess monster that makes many challengers wilt.
But the true secret to success for Malambo that has seen him rise to the helm throughout his involvement in chess is simple and yet extremely important.
Hard work and commitment are the driving forces that have created a champion in Malambo.
He was introduced to the sport by his father at a tender age and at 14 when most children totter, he has definitely surpassed his expectations and the country is yet to see more.
Among his peers at Saint Raphael Secondary School, Malambo is known for his attacking style and since he started competitive chess a few years ago, he has developed into a more universal player.
When in action, he does not focus on opening preparation as much as other players do because he plays a variety of openings, making it harder for opponents to prepare against him.
His positional mastery and end game prowess have also been part of his tools that he uses to prey on opponents.
In the year 2012, Malambo bagged a gold medal for his school during the Inter-schools chess competition and was voted best junior player following an outstanding performance that saw him sweep through his rivals without defeat.
That same year, the young chess player was on fire when he represented Southern Province during the inter-provincial tournament in Ndola.
Again, defeat was not an option for the stylish and aggressive Malambo as he went on to win a gold medal for the Southern region after putting up an impressive show.
The successful 2012 culminated in Malambo being voted the overall best national junior.
He was only 12 years old when he recorded that milestone achievement.
A year later he was drafted in the junior national team and this year he has proved to be the face of chess in southern province having won the 2014 overall award for the best provincial player.
From his minor achievements, it is evident that Malambo is on the rise to become one of the chess greats in Zambia should he maintain the current momentum.
To be where he is today, Malambo has also combined force of his skill and no less important his reputation and he drives his opponents into errors whenever he plays calmly and aggressively but perhaps most importantly of all, without fear.
Ginnethon Shandele has been Malambo’s coach since 2012 and he said, “Engelbert is one of the amazing young chess talents I have ever come across. He is one of the brightest chess players we may have in Zambia’s future and having been his coach, I am proud of him for his achievements.
“All that is needed is to expose him beyond the schools competitions. Otherwise, he has a great future ahead of him.”
When it comes to academic performance, Malambo, who is doing his 10th grade, has lived up to the expectation of every parent.
When he sat for his junior secondary school examinations, he did not disappoint.
Like he does on the Chess board, he passed with good grades to progress to the senior grades.
Malambo’s story is a clear indication that schools are a fertile ground for the development of various sports disciplines.
Therefore, giving importance to sports and extracurricular activities in school, along with academics, is very necessary and I hope other children will emulate the face of Livingstone chess.
He has absolutely made his school and the entire Southern Province proud and we can only wish him all the success in the journey he has embarked on in the world of chess.
If he continues to shine in the years to come, the country will soon have the youngest international master and later the grand master as well.
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