A WAR of Words between once upon a time national teammates International Master (IM) Andrew Kayonde and Fide Master (FM) Prince Mulenga has ensued on social media after their much-anticipated encounter at the weekend.

On Saturday, Kayonde edged Mulenga 14 – 12 in what was dubbed the Elite Cage match before throwing a jibe at the latter in a cryptic post on social media.

In apparent reference to Mulenga, Kayonde, a six time national champion posted: ā€œArising amateur can only intimidate a failing master. 14 – 12!ā€

However, the post appeared to have infuriated Mulenga who responded in a strong worded post on his Facebook wall.

ā€œSo yesterday [Saturday], we held a Match which is dubbed the great Rivalry of Zambian Chess in which Mr Kayonde Andrew emerged victorious by just a game winning 14-12 in the end. In the spirit of true sportsmanship, I congratulated him and wished him well in future endeavours. A tribute which was not easy as I was still nursing my wound but sadly, I am waking up to reading him calling me an amateur, a comment I find very immature, stupid and inconsiderate,ā€ Mulenga wrote.

He stated that he would not sit and watch Kayonde vilify his chess prowess.

ā€œMr Kayonde Andrew, I am not one you can throw stupid comments on and I let you go scot free. As I have said many times, I am in Chess to promote the game and take it to the masses and at no time am I in the game to make unnecessary friendships so if you think I cannot retaliate when you make some funny comments, then you are lying to yourself because I will and I am an expert at that,ā€ Mulenga said. ā€œIn case you have a poor memory, this is the first time you have smelled victory against me in two solid years and winning by a whisker is something that is quite shameful for someone who says he can become a Grandmaster.ā€

And when contacted to clarify his statement, Mulenga said the comments between the two are beyond bunter or rivalry.

Meanwhile, in an interview, Kayonde maintained that Mulenga was a rising amateur.

ā€œI just wanted to make a statement that he is a rising amateur and he has a lot to learn, he still has a lot to learn but he thinks we are equal. No, we are not equals yet,ā€ said Kayonde.

In 2019, Mulenga and Kayonde were part of the national team that represented Zambia at the Africa Chess Championships in Tunis, Tunisia.