The 2024 National Chess Championship is set to begin today at the Russian Cultural Centre in Dar es Salaam, running until July 7.
This highly anticipated event will bring together some of the best chess players from across Tanzania, promising intense competition and showcasing emerging talent.
According to Mussa Mangula, spokesperson for the Tanzania Chess Association (TACA), all preparations for the tournament have been completed.
Mangula emphasized that the championship’s primary goal is to promote chess throughout the country, raise awareness of the sport, and provide young players with valuable experience.
Additionally, the tournament will serve as a selection platform for the national team that will represent Tanzania in upcoming international competitions.
Over the three days of competition, organizers expect a high level of performance and hope to discover new talents who can be nurtured for the future.
The growing number of participants each year demonstrates the increasing popularity of chess in Tanzania.
To motivate the competitors, cash prizes have been arranged for the top five winners in both the men’s and women’s categories.
In the men’s division, the first-place winner will receive TSh 500,000, the runner-up TSh 400,000, third place TSh 300,000, fourth place TSh 200,000, and fifth place TSh 100,000.
Meanwhile, in the women’s open category, the first-place prize is TSh 250,000, followed by TSh 200,000 for second place, TSh 150,000 for third, TSh 100,000 for fourth, and TSh 80,000 for fifth place.
This championship reflects TACA’s ongoing commitment to advancing chess in Tanzania and positioning the nation as a strong competitor in international chess arenas.