By Ernest Mfunya

Mangochi, September 2, Mana. Octagon Tower, an entertainment house in Mangochi has organized chess tournament to promote competitiveness and identify potential chess masters in the district.

Octagon Tower Director, Dr. Kondwani Mamba said in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) that the tournament is scheduled for today.

“Chess is played in major cities but rarely do we have chess being played in beaches and rural areas. As such, we want to ensure that the sport is also played here in Mangochi as a way of boosting tourism industry,” he said.

Mamba said Octagon Tower also invited national chess team players to share talent with rural players to enable them acquire best chess play standards.

“We want to make sure that we have more players identified in Mangochi to be competing at national level.” He said.

So far 26 participants registered to participate in the tournament, he explained and looking forward to more competitions by December 31

One of the guests to grace the event include Malawi's number one chess player Joseph Mwale. Skeffa Chimoto and Zeze Kingston are expected to perform.

Prizes for the tournament have been divided into two; open and special prizes, whereby in open prize, winner will walk away with K100, 000, runners-up will pocket K70, 000, while third winner will get K50, 000.

In the special prize category, Mangochi based players number one will walk away with K50, 000, runners up with 30, 000, and third winner will go home with 20, 000.

For many occasions Octagon Towers has hosted Skeffa Chimoto, BlackMissionaries at its entertainment house at Namiasi.