By Chisomo Phiri

Alliance One Tobacco Malawi Limited, in partnership with Pyxus Agriculture Limited and Imperial Brands, has increased its sponsorship of the Chess School Project to K28 million, up from K12 million.

The project, implemented by the Chess Association of Malawi (CHESSAM), aims to promote chess in 21 rural-based primary schools in the central and northern regions.

During a signing ceremony in Lilongwe on Sunday, Alliance One Tobacco Malawi Limited Managing Director Simon Peverelle reiterated the company’s commitment to growing the sport, particularly in rural areas.

He expressed satisfaction with the program’s progress, noting that it has successfully developed chess among school children and helped reduce child labor in tobacco-growing areas.

Peverelle emphasized that chess is a suitable sport for school-going children, as it requires mental agility without physical involvement, making it an attractive alternative to football.

He reaffirmed the company’s dedication to supporting Chessam in its mission to develop the sport.

CHESSAM President Mpilo Mizere expressed gratitude to the two companies, praising them as true partners in the development of chess.

He said the increased sponsorship is expected to further enhance the project’s impact, promoting the sport and empowering school children in rural Malawi.

Chess is an abstract strategy game that involves no hidden information and no elements of chance.

It is played on a chessboard with 64 squares arranged in an 8×8 grid.

The players, referred to as “White” and “Black”, each control sixteen pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights, and eight pawns.

White moves first, followed by Black.

The game is won by checkmating the opponent’s king, i.e. threatening it with inescapable capture.

There are several ways a game can end in a draw.