Rubinstein lead NCF league standings
Chess
League favourites Rubinstein Chess Club have climbed to the top position of the Bank Windhoek Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) league after Monday night’s third round at Windhoek’s Nictus Cultural Centre.The league, initially established in 2013, features 41 teams and around 400 players competing in the premier league, first division and junior (under-12) divisions in a double round-robin format.
After the third-round matches, Rubinstein Chess Club tops the premier league standings, after being placed seventh in the first round and third in the second round.
Reflecting on the progress thus far, Rubinstein owner Israel Shilongo said the current result reflects their ambition of winning the league.
“Despite our setback in the first round, losing to Supreme 3D Grand Monsters, we were more motivated than ever, which led us to win our next two matches 4-0, 4-0 [against Nust Alumni Chess Club and The Zed Chess Club] and make it to the top. Now the aim is to stay here until the end of the season,” he said.
At the heels of the premier league leaders is Supreme 3D Grand Monsters in second place, with the Nust Alumni Chess Club in third.
The first division is led by Grit Badgers, followed by runner-up Knightly Kings and Kingdomway Chess Academy in third place.
Windhoek Afrikaans Private School (WAP) lead the junior league, followed by The Rubys in second place and Grit Badgers in third.
The fourth round of the league will be played next weekend at the same venue.
Veteran chess commentator Otto Nakapunda said last season was won by Zandell Chess Academy (currently undefeated in fourth place, with tie-breaks making the difference).
“The bottom two teams, who were relegated last season, were seven-time league champions Capablanca and Jan Möhr Secondary School. The new teams in the league are City Warriors and Unam Chess Clubs.”
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