Mozambique stands out in the 6th edition of the BCI Open Chess Tournament

In an event that brought together hundreds of athletes, Mozambican chess player Neusa de Castro won the women's title at the VI BCI Open Chess Tournament – ​​Mozambique 2026, reaffirming national talent in the largest international competition of the sport held in Mozambique.

Held from July 10th to 12th in the KaTembe Municipal District, Maputo City, the competition brought together chess players from Mozambique, South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, India, and Portugal, consolidating the BCI Open Chess Tournament's status as one of the most important competitions of its kind in the southern African region. The tournament took place in an atmosphere marked by a high level of competition, sportsmanship, and camaraderie among the participants.

In the men's competition, the title was won by South African Keith Khumalo, who finished tied on six points with his compatriot Banele Malhango and Mozambican Lourenço Napoleão, securing the victory through tie-breaking criteria.

As a major sponsor of the initiative, BCI has once again partnered with the Mozambican Chess Federation, reinforcing its commitment to the development of national sport and the promotion of Mozambican athletes.

Speaking at the event, BCI representative Sílvio Pacule highlighted that the Bank's support for the sport reflects a consistent commitment to promoting sporting excellence. "BCI's support for the Mozambican Chess Federation is an expression of a consistent and lasting commitment. Our presence here, year after year, as a High Sponsor of this event, demonstrates our active involvement in promoting excellence in Mozambican sport, creating conditions so that our athletes can compete on an equal footing with their international peers."

At the launch of the competition, the President of the Mozambican Chess Federation, Milton Botão, emphasized the strategic importance of the tournament, highlighting that it is the largest international chess event held in Mozambique and that it is part of the celebrations of National Independence. He also mentioned that the Open constitutes an important stage in the preparation of the national team for participation in the World Chess Olympiad, scheduled for September in Uzbekistan.

The competition included an open tournament for senior men's and women's categories, including junior and veteran categories, allowing the participation of athletes from all over the country and of various nationalities.

Alongside the International Open, the Development Tournament, aimed at young players, took place in the Auditorium of the BCI Headquarters Building in Maputo. It brought together more than 150 children and young chess players, reinforcing the joint commitment of BCI and the Mozambican Chess Federation to the training of new talents and the future of the sport.

By supporting another edition of the BCI Open Chess Tournament, the Bank reaffirms its vision that sport is an instrument for inclusion, human development and the promotion of excellence, contributing to projecting Mozambique onto the international sporting scene.