Eswatini’s Vikelo named Chess Olympiad Youngest Deaf Player

MBABANE – Eswatini is returning home with an individual honour despite a difficult debut at the FIDE World Chess Olympiad for Persons with Disabilities.

The kingdom made its first appearance at the third edition of the International Chess Federation event, which concluded yesterday, Thursday September 17, 2026, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Eswatini finished at the bottom of the standings after the final round among the 41 competing nations. Yet the Eswatini Chess Federation revealed this morning that Vikelo Nkomondze was named Youngest Deaf Player at the closing ceremony.

“Once again, Eswatini does not return empty-handed. We are proud to announce that Vikelo Nkomondze has secured the Youngest Deaf Player Award at the 3rd World Chess Olympiad for Persons with Disabilities. This implausible achievement is true evidence to the Eswatini Chess Federation’s continued commitment to early development and creating inclusive opportunities for all athletes to shine on the global stage,” the federation said. Officials also expressed gratitude and pride in every member of the team and delegation who represented the national flag with determination. “They return home richer in experience, and we are eager to see them share their lessons and inspire others across different spaces in Eswatini,” the statement adds.

Eswatini failed to record a match victory during the tournament. The side played six of the seven rounds after sitting out the opening round as a standby team.

However, Kiara Halar is returning with two individual board victories recorded against opponents from Zimbabwe and Uganda.

Meanwhile, the elite Chess Olympiad continues in Samarkand. Today’s third round sees the Eswatini women’s team face Bhutan while the men take on Togo. WCM Sinqobile Dlamini and Nkosivile Ngwenya are rested for the day’s matches.

Tournament results:

• Round 7: Eswatini 1-3 Zimbabwe

• Round 6: Eswatini 0-4 Kenya

• Round 5: Eswatini 1-3 Uganda

• Round 4: Eswatini 0-4 Panama

• Round 3: Eswatini 0-4 Vietnam

• Round 2: Eswatini 0-4 Turkmenistan

• Round 1: Standby

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