By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –

THERE was double joy for Zambia at the ongoing World Chess Olympiads in Tromso, Norway as both the men and women teams won their round-three games and can look to extend their re-discovered form in round four.

After suffering two straight losses, the Zambia women team made a huge announcement at the Olympiads by bashing Madagascar 4-0 with Lorita Mwango starting the assault on the Indian Ocean island side.

Mwango, on board one, defeated Christine Razafindrabiaza and that win quickly was followed up by Costance Mbatha’s hammering of Vololona Lalaina Razafimahefa with Linda Hamonga also getting the better Andri Ralivololona before Yvonne Saina joined the winning act against Miah Raveloson.

This morale boosting win gives the Zambia women team a first victory and can look to the next game with optimism as they come up against southern African neighbours, Botswana who boast of a strong line-up.

Team leader Mwango was up against Boikhutso Mudongo with Mbatha facing Tsepiso Lopang (both women International Masters) while Hamoonga had Onkemetse Francis to handle and Saina playing Thapelo Francis.

For the men, it was a second straight win after an opening round loss to France and this time, it was against hosts Norway whom they defeated 2.5-1.5 with the plaudits going to IM Stanley Chumfwa and Daniel Jere as Zambia juggled with the line-up.

Team leader Chumfwa on board one made light meal of Lie Espen while IM Jere on board two forced a draw with Grand Master Rune Djurhuus.

But after Chutumbo Mwali lost to Holm Kristen Stuvik, the hob was left to new boy in the team, Kelvin Chumfwa.

Kelvin, who is the young brother to Stanley and a replacement for Richmond Phiri, defeated his opponent Sebastian Mihajlov to get a win on his first game and deliver a win for Zambia.

In the next game, the Zambia men team will face Qatar which has two Grand Masters in Mohammed Al Modiahki and Zhu Chen who will be up against Stanley Chumfwa and Jere.

Mwali will play fellow IM Hussein Aziz with Kelvin Chumfwa facing an impressive Hamad Al Tamimi.