Hilma Nalupe
The 2026 Namibia National Open Chess Championships qualifiers concluded last Saturday at the Nictus Cultural Centre in Windhoek.
The qualifiers served as Phase 1 of the national championships, with Phase 2 slated for 24 February to 1 March 2026.
After four demanding days of play, the Top 5 players in both the Open and Women’s sections successfully qualified for the 2026 Namibia National Closed Chess Championships, where they will face elite, pre-qualified players for a place in the national team.
The National Open qualifiers proved to be very demanding. The qualifiers tested not only the players’ chess abilities but also their endurance, discipline and mental strength. The standard of play was consistently high, with a strong fighting spirit evident in every round, evidently proving the continued growth and competitiveness of Namibian chess.
In the open section, Simon Shidolo took first place after the matches, with Dawid du Toit following in second and Candidate Master (CM) Otto Nakapunda taking third place, with Bernhard Schwarz and Louis Van Rooyen taking fourth and fifth rankings. The five players will compete against the following automatic qualifiers: International Chess Federation (FIDE) Master (FM) Heskiel Ndahangwapo, CM Goodwill Khoa, Petrus Kawende, Stefan Becker and International Master (IM) Dante Beukes, who is the highest HFIDE-rated Namibian athlete as of 1 January 2026.
In the women’s section, Keisha Van Wyk was ranked first position, Shadah Uangauta took second position, while Juliet Elias was ranked third, Woman FIDE master (WFM) Rauha Shipindo in fourth and Helvi Shuudifonya in fifth.
The five women will be joining the following automatic qualifiers: Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Jamie-Nicole Beukes, who is also the highest FIDE-rated Namibian female player as of 1 January 2026, Lutopu Khoa, WCM Jolly-Joice Nepando, Maryke Mouers and Toini Shikongo.
Namibia Chess Federation president, Berdian Beukes, extended his gratitude towards the players for their commitment and sportsmanship throughout the tournament, the parents who continue to support the development of the athletes, the arbiters, volunteers and partners such as Bank Windhoek and the Nictus Cultural group.
“Their continued and invaluable support of chess development in Namibia makes the growth and success of Namibian chess possible,” Beukes echoed. The 2026 Namibia National Closed Chess Championships, scheduled for late February, will determine the five-player national team that will represent Namibia at the FIDE Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan in September 2026.
With established masters, rising juniors, and returning national champions set to compete side by side, the 2026 Namibia National Closed Chess Championships promise to be one of the most exciting and competitive editions in recent years. -hnalupe@nepc.com.na
