THE Jordan University Chess Open Tournament, now in its fourth edition, is set to take place next month in Tanzania’s Morogoro Region, as organizers announced.

The event, scheduled for December 14-15, will bring together both local and international players in a Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE) rated competition, offering participants the chance to earn FIDE ratings.

Dr. Konrad Czernichowski, one of the tournament’s organizers, shared details about the event, which is hosted by Jordan University College in Morogoro. 

“We are excited to host the 4th Jordan University Chess Open Tournament as a FIDE-rated event. We welcome both local and foreign players to register, giving them a valuable opportunity to gain official FIDE ratings,” he said.

In a related event, Shedrack Lusako Mwakajila, who represented Tanzania at the recent Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, made an inspiring visit to the Jordan Chess Club last Saturday. 

During his visit, Mwakajila engaged with club members in a simultaneous exhibition (simul), where he competed against multiple players at once. 

Only two players managed to defeat him: student Inocent Agustino Herman and Dr. Czernichowski, who also serves as the club’s coach and lecturer at Jordan University College in Morogoro as well as at the University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska (UMCS) in Poland.

Czernichowski praised Mwakajila, noting: “Mwakajila is a fantastic role model for aspiring chess players in Tanzania. His success and dedication are admirable. It’s been less than two months since he represented Tanzania at the Budapest Chess Olympiad, and his visit to our club was a source of inspiration.”

Mwakajila also spent time at the Mgolole orphanage, where he conducted a chess training session for children. 

His visit aimed to promote chess across the country and inspire the next generation of players.