Rodwell Makoto: 2011 Zimbabwe Champion
IM Robert Gwaze is not the only Zimbabwean who can win nine games in a row in an important tournament. Rodwell Makoto won the Zimbabwean National Championship with a perfect 9/9. This dominance follows his credible showing at the African Individuals back in June. His strong showing may identify him as a rising talent in Africa.
To put Makato’s performance in perspective, Spencer Masango finish far back with 5½ points while Farai Masanganise, Elisha Chimbamu, Dion Moyo and Bismark Bhobhojani had 5 points. Lloyd Moyo had 3½, Emerald Mushore 3, Lewis Kahoba 2½ and Byron Gurajena had 1½.
In the Candidates Castro Sibanda got joint first with Hamilton Mandeya on 8/9, but won on Bucholz tiebreaks. In the third slot was Musekiwa on 7½ points. Tied on 7 points were Munyaradzi Chivende, Gift Sithole, Anesu Masimba, Elisha Thabov, Sherperd Chimhungwe and Givson Malije.
Full story here!
This is a good posting regarding an event that comes out of amongst the most talented individuals par to any African country!Plus a vociforous bunch see ZIM CHESS on facebook if you dare!
We witness yet another late discovered Africa talent. I am reliably told Makoto (rightfully AKA Kotov!) was ahead of Mandizha in their young days. However, currently Farai is now rated +2400 and is in danger of becoming an IM-Elect for life, like the federation head being President perpertually. In fact, on a side issue, according to my calculations, Farai is now Zimbos #1, having overtaken top maestro Gwaze!(September ratings would have proven me correct!). Anyway, Sadly Kotov is still languishing around 2100, far below his capabilities!
Most upsetting is to see Zimbabwe and Zambia’s official ratings missing from the world’s listing. Yet we claim to care about chess development in Africa, as we rub shoulders at high offices!Who do we realy care about?
Remember in the Botswana held Zonal? The young man had to watch from the touch-lines? Now I hope BCF realizes their folly of not allowing him to display his abilities regardlessly, inthe interest of the chess fraternity there. I yelled then that the outcome would have been different, Alas, no one could stop Gwaze as ussual. Gaborone, sorry you missed beautiful attacking chess!
CONGRATS KOTOV, your chess strength is around +2400 trust my Elo estimates. Against all these odds, play catch-up boy! Always remember what I said to you when I met you the other day!
u are absolutely correct..you have looked closely from your analytical point of view, its true..the point which u have singled out is of great importance as far as chess in Africa is concerned..l am also seeking for a solution to this silentltly l will keep you posted
Congratulations Rodwell. Africa sure has a sea of talent.
Well Done Kotov!. As far as comparing Mandizha with kotov or any other player from zim will not be a fair deal done. He is a player of his own time, there will never be another Mandizha. I believe Mandizha won all the all the scholastic and national Championships during his time. At one point he had the opportunity to sweep all his opponents and guess what, all the players withdrew from the national champs. It was 12player round robin; he had already scored 8/8. Zim Chess players will never give him a credit.
Hey Chess Guru
I think you are missing the point. I am not comparing the two players willy-nilly, but rather the situation around them. At best I am high-lighting the maladministration of the Africa talent and perhaps argue why we never see GM’s blossom like as in other parts of the world. I wish to repeat that I was voluntarily in charge of Mandizha’s meteoric rise in chess beyond his scholastic era. I was constantly made aware that there is a much more talented youngster in ZIM, in several cases Farai was barred from participating in FIDE events on behalf of ZIM for nefarious reasons, with claims that Mandizha is usurping Makoto. Again, IF both were fast tracked, what do you think would have happened? This is the question!
Splendid, magnificent performance at the Zimbabwe National Championships. What a distinguished and illustrious showing by this young man from Mabvuku, Harare. Makoto’s exhilarating and invigorating performance may surely identify him as a rising supreme talent in Africa. His chess is surely of the highest quality, degree, character and importance. GLEN NORAH KNIGHTS CHESS ACADEMY (www.gnknightschessclub.co.cc) is greatly impressed thus we say CONGRATS Kotov for the scintillating showing! The Academy welcomes you to its base to meet the young KNIGHTS as well as to receive $300 meant for chess players who have excelled in a series of strong tournaments.
Daaim thank you for the open discussion. Hopefully this debate is beneficial to people at large. Sorry for the Typing errors!
Hey Daaim, you make incredible good argument points that truly are insightful. Even when I differ with the some of the view points. I appreciate and am enriched. Thanks!
Why is everything turned into a political thing. Just play the game
Yep! Daaim, you make another pivotal point. All the officials who ascended FIDE echelons in the wake of their Federations have made strides to benefit their home-bases respectively. I once had an interesting discussion with the late Campomannes, he proudly told me that his proudest moment is when he introduced the great Bobby Fischer to the people and President of the Phillipines! Sadly Africa officials have a different take on the point.