ZAMBIAN chess players settled for draws in the second round of the ongoing African Individual Chess Championships in Lagos, Nigeria.

Timothy Kabwe missed a big opportunity to beat Grand Master Abdelrahman Hesham when he missed two winning moves to settle for a draw despite outplaying his opponent while what could have been a thriller on board 10 between Prince Daniel Mulenga and Nase Lungu ended in a draw with 31 moves played.

International Master (IM) Richmond Phiri also drew against Donaldo Paiva of Mozambique while in the lady’s category, round one revelation Namakau Naomi Likando also drew her game against Michael Bridget of Nigeria.

Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Bertha Phiri and WFM Constance Mbatha stood as the only victors for after beating Pelomoh Jessica of Nigeria and Pissama Ntsaou Diva Sara of Gabon respectively.

Going into the third round, IM Phiri is expected to tackle Kigigha Bomo Lovet on board five while board six will host Mulenga and Beukes Dante while Kabwe and Lungu were expected to play Adebayo Adegboyega Joel and Paiva Donaldo on board seven and eight respectively.

In the women’s section, Bertha Phiri was scheduled to play Esperanca Caxita on board three while Likando Namakau was set to face Ofowino Toritsemuwa on board five while Constance Mbatha would face Oloruntola Oluwatobiloba on board five.

CFZ vice president Leslie Chikuse said the country should continue to rally behind the chess team in Nigeria.

“The team has continued to perform well in Nigeria and looking at the pairings for round three, we are confident the team will perform well. The team is very much in contention for winning the championship. We continue to thank the government for the continued support they are rendering to sports disciplines,” said Chikuse.