By Fanuel Chinowaita
A six-year-old boy from Buhera has announced himself as one of Zimbabwe’s emerging chess talents after winning the Under-6 Boys title at the 7th Haig Park Winter Chess Festival with a flawless record.
Michael Adrian Chinewaita, a Grade ECD B pupil at Mudanda Primary School, won all five of his matches to finish unbeaten and claim the championship at the tournament held yesterday.
The victory marked the first major success for the newly established chess section of Turf Ninja Sports Academy, a Mutare-based sports development organisation that recently expanded its programmes to include the game.
Competing against older and more experienced opponents, Michael impressed spectators with his composed play and attacking style. His preferred opening, the Fried Liver Attack, helped him secure a perfect five wins from five games.
The youngster received a gold medal, certificate and hamper for his performance, bringing recognition to his school, Buhera District and Manicaland Province.
Speaking after his triumph, Michael said he had entered the competition determined to make his family and community proud.
“I came prepared to fry all the chicken which is all my opponents’ kings. I wanted to win medals for my father and coach that he did not manage to win during his youth,” he said.
He dedicated the victory to his father and coach, Allan Chinewaita, his mother, Mudanda Primary School and other young chess players from his community who were unable to attend the tournament because of financial constraints.
“Mainly I wanted to honour my father who gave his time to train me and follow in his footsteps. And for my mom who helped me achieve this feat. This is for Mudanda and my chess friends who did not make it to the tournament because of financial constraints, my school Mudanda Primary, and for Manicaland as a whole,” he said.
Coach Allan Chinewaita described the victory as evidence that young players from rural communities can excel when given the right support and opportunities.
“I am humbled. I see myself as a youth who never had enough time for sport, but with talent. I don’t want this cycle to repeat for my children, even with limited resources. Michael’s performance proves that the Turf Ninja model works,” he said.
“With the right training, discipline and family support, our children from rural and urban communities can compete and win at national level. The Turf Ninja Sports Academy Chess Section is open to all children, including those from inclusive programmes. This is the right way to build champions.”
Turf Ninja Sports Academy, which has previously developed athletes in combat sports such as kickboxing, recently introduced chess as part of its talent development programme. The academy operates branches in Mutare, Harare, Buhera, Bocha, Marange and Mozambique, and says it aims to create more opportunities for young athletes from underserved communities.
Michael’s victory provides an early milestone for the academy’s chess programme and highlights the growing reach of grassroots chess initiatives such as the Zimbabwe Chess Federation’s “Chess Kumusha” programme, which seeks to expand the game into rural communities.