FM Donaldo Paiva triumphs in Malawi

Lilongwe, Malawi | 30th August 2026 – The 2026 Malawi Open Chess Championship concluded today with *FM Donaldo Paiva of Mozambique* crowned Open Champion, while compatriot *WCM Chineva Rufino Sandramo* claimed the Ladies title, giving Mozambique a historic double victory.

The 9-round Swiss tournament, officiated by *IA Gilton Mkumbwa*, brought together the region’s strongest players and was decided on tiebreaks in both sections.

*PAIVA EDGES DAKA ON BUCHHOLZ*

Paiva finished undefeated on *7.5/9*, drawing with Joseph Nyambalo, IM Gillian Bwalya, and runner-up Justine Daka in the final round. His superior Buchholz score secured the title over Daka, who also finished on 7.5/9.

*Justine Daka * produced the tournament’s most compelling story. Two weeks after missing the top 10 at the Minerva Zim International Open, the Zambian bounced back in style.

The turning point came in *Round 7* when Daka defeated *defending champion FM Joseph Mwale *.

_“My toughest opponent was FM Joseph Mwale… when I have white pieces I had to push harder until at the end and won,” Daka said.

He followed it with a critical *Round 8 win over IM Gillian Bwalya*, a game he called “the decider of who was going to be at the podium.” Daka closed with a draw against Paiva to finish second.

Mwale, the defending champion, ended 3rd on 7.0/9 after the loss to Daka. He was joined on 7.0/9 by *CM Kela Siame Kaulule* and *Tito Jilowa*, completing a Zambian 3-4-5 sweep. Zambia placed 5 players in the top 8 overall.

*MOZAMBIQUE DOUBLE IN LADIES SECTION*

In the Ladies section, *WCM Chineva Rufino Sandramo * also finished on *7.5/9* to take gold on tiebreak ahead of *WFM Constance Mbatha *. Home favorite *WCM Ellen Mpinganjira * finished 3rd.

*TOURNAMENT OFFICIAL*

Chief Arbiter *IA Gilton Mkumbwa* ensured smooth operations throughout the 3-day event.

*QUOTES*

_“It was a tough tournament but a great one for Zambian chess. We showed our depth and we’ll come back stronger,”_ — Team Zambia Representative

_“Malawi is proud to host such a competitive event. The level was very high,”_ — Tournament Organizer

*Final Top 3 Open*: 1. FM Donaldo Paiva 7.5, 2. Justine Daka 7.5, 3. FM Joseph Mwale 7.0

*Final Top 3 Ladies*: 1. WCM Chineva Rufino Sandramo 7.5, 2. WFM Constance Mbatha 7.5, 3. WCM Ellen Mpinganjira

The 2026 Malawi Open reaffirms the country’s status as a premier host for SADC chess and sets the stage for the 2027 edition.