WINDHOEK – Having been out of shape for the better part of this year, Arandis-based chess player, Simon Shidolo finally redeemed himself in spectacular fashion when he stirred home an undisputed victory at the 3rd leg of the Namibia Chess Grand Prix Series, recently.
Shidolo restored some pride when he scored a total of 6 wins in a 7 round swiss tournament played over the weekend at the Sanlam Building in Windhoek. His performance at the Zone 4.3 held in Windhoek in July was his worst for the year after finishing bottom with only a draw, but as fate would have it, Shidolo surely had the last laugh this time around.
A product of the Colin Foundation School Chess Club and a former national team player, the former junior chess champion, Shidolo made it clear that he was unstoppable at the tournament as he sought redemption.
The 3rd leg saw a handful of the country’s elite chess players partaking but all falling shot behind the new champion. Tournament favorites Candidate Master (CM), Charles Eichab, 2014 National Junior Champion, Immanuel Gariseb, 2013 National Chess Champion, Goodwill Khoa, recently crowned Candidate Master, McLean Handjaba and long standing veteran player, Otto Nakapunda all finished behind Shidolo.
Khoa and Eichab came in 2nd and 3rd places respectively and had to share their prize monies as they both finished with the same number of points despite being separated only by tie-break.
Acting Tournament Director on the day, Richman Tjiriange, applauded Shidolo’s fighting spirit and motivated character, urging other chess players to always strive to be better regardless of the odds stacked against them.
Tjiriange also thanked the sponsors of this leg, Gottlieb Scotts Hamutwe, a chess enthusiast who donated N$2 000 towards the prizes and JHI Properties for availing the venue.
Only two Grand Prix legs remain, scheduled for 11th and 18th October in the capital. These two legs will be played out in a public arena, preferably at one of the cities’ shopping malls, with the intention of bringing chess to the people.