MBABANE – The final teams that will fly Eswatini’s flag at the upcoming 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad have been confirmed.
According to the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the official team lists for both the Open and Women’s sections are now final.
A record 400 teams have been confirmed across the two competitions; 208 in the Open and 192 in the Women’s event. That is 20 more than the previous record field of 380 at Budapest 2024, FIDE says.
In the Open section for Eswatini, Candidate Master (CM) Mbongeni Mabuza leads a side of youthful debutants. Rated 1863, he is followed by Santiago De Nobrega (1805) and Nkosivile Mabuza (1730), both aged 18, Kwanele Ngwenya (20) and Nhlanhla Simelane (25).
It is worth noting that CM Mabuza was the only member of Team Eswatini, who returned home with a bronze medal from the 2024 Olympiad.
In the Women’s section, Woman Candidate Master Sinqobile Dlamini (1616) is the highest ranked player. Dlamini also earned her title at the previous edition and is joined by reigning national champion Nolwazi Nkwanyana, debutant Tivumnile Ngozo, experienced campaigner Nomcebo Sibisi; who has represented the country more than twice at this level; and another debutant, Siphosethu Mkhweli.
The opening ceremony will take place in Samarkand on September 15, followed by 11 rounds of classical chess from September 16 to 27.
Based on the submitted line-ups, FIDE says the United States head the Open starting list, followed by defending champions India, hosts Uzbekistan, China and Germany.
In the Women’s competition, India are the top seeds ahead of Georgia, China, Kazakhstan and the United States.
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