INTERNATIONAL Master (IM) Richmond Phiri has taken an early lead with a perfect five points at the ongoing 2023 Mdina Lusaka Open Chess Championship at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) in Lusaka. Phiri kicked off the competition with victories over Keith Chanda, Mutale Kalaba, Joseph Handiya, Tebby Swatu, and William Mwape. As of yesterday’s deadline, Phiri had a lead of half a point over IM Gillan Bwalya, Maketo Nyambe, and Kennedy Kanyoka, who were all tied with 4.5 points as they entered the sixth round. During the sixth round, Phiri was set to compete against Nyambe, IM Gillan Bwalya was scheduled to play Kanyoka, and Mwape had a match against Fide Master (FM) Douglas Munenga. In the other...