Rwanda’s future chess stars last week convened at Hilltop Hotel in Kigali to showcase their prowess as children under 18 years of age vied for medals and trophies in a two-day Youth Championship.

This year’s event was the second after the first held in 2013. Unlike the first one, however, last month’s tournament had a superior glitter to it. Unlike in the past when only eight kids – four boys and four girls under 14 years of age participated – there were 36 this year, most of them (22) under 15.

Many more failed to make it due to different reasons.

Even Ian Murara, 13, the grade nine pupil at Green Hills Academy who has proved, by trouncing older and more experienced opponents in seniors’ events recently, that he deserves respect, missed the fun but the November youth tournament still left a good mark.

To adult chess players who watched the games, the kids displayed remarkable talent.

The Rwanda Chess Federation (FERWADE) vice president Kevin Ganza, was particularly happy for the overall winner of the under-15-category, Kevin Marius Ikuzwe, 12, a senior one student at Petit Séminaire Saint-Vincent de Paul Ndera who, many believe, is destined to be a star.

Consequently, Ganza has vowed that the federation will make special effort to assist in Ikuzwe’s development.

"The only thing we shall do is to keep training him, let him play with older players. We would wish to let him participate in international youth tournaments but most of them happened in September and another one on 5th November,” Ganza noted.

Due to the remarkable intelligence of the youngsters, the federation is now working to see that next year; all national youth tournaments will be organized such that the winners can eventually have time to register and then participate in international tournaments.

Enter Happiness

At the end of the tournament, the tournament’s number seven would force her way onto the medals’ podium.

Happiness Mutete, a primary three pupil of Ecole Primaire Kinunga, in Gikondo, was not supposed to get an award since prizes were only planned for the top five but the latter’s passion and skill won her an unexpected brand-new chess set.

After garnering four hard-fought points in the kids’ six-round contest, she was, in the end, unanimously nominated as best young player. The winner, Ikuzwe, had scored five points. The petite eight-year-old trounced older opponents in a swift style that intrigued, as well as amazed spectators.

Ganza, who was an arbiter during the tournament, made several stops to watch her games and he was won over by her positional play, and attacking flair.

Ganza said: "I was thrilled by her good performance. Her speed in recognizing patterns, analyzing opponents’ moves and, most of all, her confidence. 

And the look on her face when she seemed certain she had set a good trap and was waiting for her opponent to fall. I can’t wait to watch her in action again.”

But it was not only Ganza who was spellbound by the little girl’s guile in a game which grandmasters often call the battle of ideas. Marie Faustine Shimwa, the reigning national female champion, was shocked to find kids as young as Mutete "playing chess at that level.”

Shimwa said: "I played a friendly game with her at the end of her first two rounds in the competition. I can’t really tell what motivates her but you see the joy in her as she plays. And that is really very good. She too will be a champion one day.”

The third year Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering student at the University of Rwanda College of Science and Technology was impressed by the young girl’s ability. But, Shimwa admits, what she observed signaled that she cannot afford to rest on her laurels.

"I was surprised but also very happy. It is good to see that they are eager to learn more. It is also good for Rwanda Chess. Leaving the venue that day, the only thing on my mind was the thinking that these kids are going to make a big change.”

"I felt challenged too. Seeing how those little ones can be tough, I know I have to seriously up my game.”

editorial@newtimes.co.rw