CHESSAM Launches the 2025 National Schools Chess League

By Steven Godfrey Mkweteza……

The Chess Association of Malawi (CHESSAM), in collaboration with the Malawi Schools Sports Association (MASSA), has officially launched the 2025 edition of the National Schools Chess League (NSCL).

According to CHESSAM Publicity Secretary Francisco Mwangupili, the league aims to promote chess among secondary schools across Malawi.

Mwangupili said the competition, sponsored by NICO Asset Managers, is now open for registration to all secondary schools in the country’s educational divisions.

“The National Schools Chess League kicks off this coming weekend on 31st May 2025 with divisional qualifiers. CHESSAM will select the top eight teams from each division—four boys’ teams and four girls’ teams—to advance to the next stage,” he said.

Each school is allowed to field a maximum of two teams, with one comprising boys and the other girls.

The league will unfold in three main stages:

1. Divisional Qualifiers – Open competitions within each division to select the top four boys’ and four girls’ teams.

2. Zonal Round-Robin Stage – A double round-robin tournament among the top teams to identify the best team in each category.

3. National Finals – A showdown of divisional champions for national glory and the title of Malawi’s top school chess team.

Limbe CDSS from Blantyre, the reigning champion in the boys’ category, will be aiming for a third consecutive title after triumphs in 2023 and 2024. In the girls’ category, Atsikana Paulendo Private Secondary School will defend the title they secured in 2024.

“Each team will consist of five players, with four playing in each match. All games will follow official FIDE rules to ensure fairness and competitiveness,” Mwangupili added.

CHESSAM President Mpilo Mizere emphasized the broader vision of the initiative: “This is more than just a tournament. It’s part of our vision to make Malawi a chess-playing nation.”

Participation in the league is free, and schools have until May 28, 2025, to complete and submit their registration.