By Victoria Godfrey
The Tanzania Chess Association (TACA) has successfully registered new players who will now be officially recognized by the World Chess Federation (FIDE), opening doors for them to compete in international tournaments.
This milestone follows the conclusion of the TACA Blitz Chess Championships, held yesterday at the Russian Cultural Centre in Dar es Salaam.
TACA board member Albert Njau confirmed that the association has already submitted the players’ names and is now awaiting their official FIDE registration numbers.
This recognition will grant them the opportunity to participate in global chess competitions.
Njau also highlighted the remarkable growth of chess in Tanzania, noting that while the game was previously concentrated in Dar es Salaam, it has now expanded to other regions, including Arusha.
“These achievements inspire us to continue investing in the promotion of chess. Our goal is to increase awareness and ensure the game is played across different regions, allowing us to identify and nurture more talented players who can represent Tanzania internationally,” he said.
To further strengthen the sport, Njau emphasized the importance of organizing regular tournaments to give players more exposure and experience.
TACA official Mustafa Ebrahim echoed this sentiment, stressing that the association aims to elevate chess in Tanzania by improving players' skills and raising their competitive standards.
He encouraged all participants—both winners and those who did not secure titles—to reflect on their performances, learn from their mistakes, and prepare for future competitions.
In the women’s category, champion Neema Adam attributed her success to dedicated preparation and consistent participation in tournaments.
“The competition was tough, but by God’s grace, I managed to win,” she said.
Neema also called on more women to engage in chess, emphasizing that challenges and losses are part of the learning process.
“I encourage all women with a passion for chess to participate. Losing is just a step toward improvement.
My dream is to earn a spot in the national women’s team and compete in the Chess Olympiad,” she added.