Mbabane – The Eswatini Chess Federation staged the national chess qualifiers over the weekend of September 20 to 21, paving the way for the country’s top players to book their spots in the upcoming national championship. Both the Open and Women’s sections delivered a blend of surprises, seasoned performers and new faces ready to test their strength on the board.
In the Open section, ten players advanced, led by Hlophe Smilo with a rating of 1859. He was joined by Mbongeni Mabuza and defending champion Sikhanyiso Sihlongonyane, both rated 1831. The line-up also features Simphiwe Dlamini, Nkosivile Mabuza, Kwanele Ngwenya, Sanjul Ariyawansa, Santiago DeNobrega, Mlondi Mdluli and newcomer Vukani Masuku.
The Women’s section will see nine players competing for the national crown. Among them is Nomcebo Sibisi, who leads the field with a 1553 rating, alongside defending champion Sincobile Dlamini and Nolwazi Nkwanyane. Others include Nosimilo Mkhonto, Nokuthula Msibi, Tivumile Ngozo, Siphosethu Mkhweli, Imelda Hlophe and Namisa Kuhlase.
The national championship will be contested from October 24 to 26, when the qualifiers face off for the ultimate titles in Eswatini chess.
Open section qualifiers:
- Hlophe Smilo (1859)
- Mabuza Mbongeni (1831)
- Sihlongonyane Sikhanyiso (1831) – Defending champion
- Dlamini Simphiwe (1789)
- Mabuza Nkosivile (1738)
- Ngwenya Kwanele (1630)
- Ariyawansa Sanjul (1628)
- DeNobrega Santiago (1616)
- Mdluli Mlondi (1541)
- Masuku Vukani (unrated)
Women’s section qualifiers:
- Sibisi Nomcebo (1553)
- Dlamini Sincobile (1549) – Defending champion
- Nkwanyane Nolwazi (1547)
- Mkhonto Nosimilo (1530)
- Msibi Nokuthula (1413)
- Ngozo Tivumile (unrated)
- Mkhweli Siphosethu (unrated)
- Hlophe Imelda (unrated)
- Kuhlase Namisa (unrated)
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