By FRANCINA CHOMBA –

More than  100 players-of-yesteryears will today battle for honours when the Chess Federation of Zambia (CFZ) today hosts the Golden Jubilee Veterans and Ladies tournament at Chrismar Hotel in Lusaka.The tournament that will be held in line with Zambia’s 50th Independence commemorations will see Health Deputy Minister Chitalu Chilufya, his Justice counterpart Keith Mukata and Lusaka Mayor Mulenga Sata jostle for the top price.
CFZ president Yohane Mukabe is also among the veterans, who include Graham Banda, Humphrey Lwambula, Chanda Nskanya, Munelu Mate, Bright Mulonga and Jerry Mwape among others, that have entered for this tournament.The ladies’ category will see former CFZ vice president Joy Mtine, Mwaka Moonga and Brenda Mumba testing each other’s wits on the chess boards.
With an attractive package of prizes on the table for the winners, the tournament promises to bring back old memories of the country’s chess heroes and heroines.
Tournament organising committee Nolias Kalinga said in an interview yesterday that the CFZ was set for the competition, whose proceeds will be ploughed back to the development of the sport in schools.
The winner’s prize is a return trip for two to Mfuwe at the South Luangwa national park that includes two nights’ accommodation while the runner up wins a return trip to Livingstone with two nights’ accommodation and the third place finish attracts a Samsung 42 inch LED Television Set.
Meanwhile, CFZ tournament director Aaron Banda described Zambia’s performance at the just-ended World Junior Championships staged in South Africa as average because it was their first international outing.
Zambia was represented by Joshua Mulauzi, Isabel Mwewa, Elias Musonda, Faith Chilambe, Engelbert Malambo, Musonda Chola, Sililo Chileshe, Limbikani Chishimba and Thabo Mhango.