A masterful display of composure and skill propelled novice Cornelius Masikini to a resounding victory at the 2023 University of Zambia (UNZA) Closed Chess tournament held in Lusaka. Despite his relatively new status in the chess arena, Masikini's impressive performance demonstrated his potential for excellence. Faced with a competitive field in the Open section, Masikini showcased his prowess by securing an impressive tally of five wins throughout the three-day tournament. His victories came against formidable opponents, including Blessed Mupeta, Jones Musonda, Shadrick Zulu, Antonio Sakaumba, and Steven Phiri. Although Cornelius Masikini faced setbacks with drawn matches against Andrew Daka, Mwape Mwelwa, and Jim Fikoloma, he rebounded to finish strong in his final match against James Mbao. His resilient efforts earned him a total of 7.5 points by the end of the tournament. Securing the same number of points as Masikini, Steven Phiri claimed second place. However, Masikini clinched the title based on superior tiebreak criteria. Andrew Daka secured the third position with 6.5 points, while Mwape Mwelwa, Antonio Sakaumba, and Jim Fikoloma shared the sixth position, trailing Daka by half a point. Blessed Mupeta secured the seventh position with 5.5 points. In the team segment of the tournament, Shadrick Zulu led a group of players who competed against the Cubs. Despite a narrow 2-1 loss in the final match, their earlier performances proved sufficient to secure the overall victory and lift the championship trophy. The Cubs took the second position, while Game On finished third, closely followed by Apex in fourth place. The Zambezi Youth Cup, an annual event organized by Cubs Academy, serves as a platform to showcase the talent and enthusiasm of emerging chess players. With the 2023 UNZA Closed Chess tournament leaving its mark on both individual and team accomplishments, the world of chess continues to evolve, offering new faces and talents the chance to shine on a competitive stage.