By RONALD CHAWE –
ZIMBABWEAN hotshot Spencer Masango and Angolan rising star David Silva are among the four latest foreign players to confirm participation in the inaugural Henry Chilufya Memorial chess tournament starting this Friday in Mansa.
Masango and Silva, both International Masters (IMs), will play in the Open Section where they will join 22 other locals in the category, so far.
The duo is favourite to win the section considering the experience and performance at major international tournaments and also because the Open section has few Zambian big name players.
But they will have to deal with Panji Goma, Michael Kaoma, Alick Nyirenda, Mwansa Mambwe, Brighton Chiumya and Copperbelt Province Chess League Association (CCLA) treasurer Thomas Zulu.
The other two foreign players to enter are Sheila Sitoe of Mozambique and Desiderata Nkhoma from Malawi who will be competing in the Women Section that has 10 admissions.
Contrary to the Open Section, the Women Section has local favourites in Women Fide Master (WFM) Lorita Mwango and Women Candidate Master (WCM) duo of Lubuuto Bwalya andPhyllis Mwilola.
The foreign duo will need to be at their best to take the women title.
Other locals in this section are Bertha Phiri, Niza Chilingwe, DaisySimenda, Bridget Mayani and Milika Tembo.
The memorial tournament would run from October 20-25 at Courtyard Lodge.
