The 2025 Minerva Zimbabwe Open recorded the highest number of participants since the tournament’s inception in 2021, with a total of 338 players. This marks an approximately plus or minus 41% increase from the 2024 edition.
The surge in participation is attributed to several factors—chief among them being the commitment of the sponsor Minerva Risk advisors, the centrality of Joina city in the CBD of Harare, an attractive prize structure, and the tournament’s consistency over the past five years. Nationally, chess participation continues to grow, with increased interest and activity across various regions.
Breakdown by Section:
- Corporate Section: 66 participants
- Section A: 48 participants
- Section B: 81 participants
- Ladies Section: 41 participants
- Development Section: 102 participants
This growth reflects not only the rising popularity of chess across all age groups and sectors but also the critical role Minerva continues to play in supporting and developing chess in Zimbabwe.