Replacement for the - Malawi Nomination We write as Chess Association of Malawi to provide information on events surrounding the replacement of Fide Master (FM) Joseph Mwale for the World Cup. There has been a spate of misleading and speculative ideas on social media in relation to this topic. To begin with, it is vital to explain events leading up to the current status-quo.

1. Four (4) days prior to the 2021 African Individual Chess Championship (AICC) which Malawi hosted in May, the Chess Association of Malawi ( CHESSAM) organized a aimed at sharpening the Malawi AICC participants. From that tournament, CHESSAM had reports that FM Joseph Mwale was excessively drinking alcohol and his behavior was of concern to those who saw him. An incident of harassment by him against a female player was also recorded and managed. The association engaged his parents to speak and reason with him the need to be disciplined during the AICC. Instead, Joseph sent text messages to the CHESSAM President, Susan Namangale indicating he would not play at the AICC. Efforts to reason with him proved futile but later rescinded his decision and started playing in Round two (2). This is the reason why he missed the first round of the AICC.

2. During the AICC, his conduct had improved and he performed very well finishing 5th.However, after the AICC Josephs conduct again became erratic and we suspected that he was not in a sober state of mind and posted remarks faulting CHESSAM on WhatsApp groups that he had not received his AICC prize money (which was true) when Grandmasters had all received (which was untrue). We cleared this assertion and reminded him that the World Chess Federation (FIDE) would pay all winners directly to their personal bank accounts, and CHESSAM was not the body to pay prize money. Fortunately, 3 days later he acknowledged receiving the money. 3. On June 17, 2021 CHESSAM president made a nomination request to FIDE president indicating the successful hosting of the AICC amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and how the two Malawian players performed exceptionally well and requesting consideration for one player FM Joseph Mwale to participate at Chess World Cup. It pleased the FIDE President to grant the request . 4. After communicating with Joseph on the nomination and the need for him to complete necessary forms, he was asked to meet the CHESSAM President to undertake the requirements. At 9:00hrs on June 18, 2021 which was the deadline day for registration, FM Joseph came to meet the CHESSAM president and again our suspicion was that he was not in a sober state of mind as his behavior was very erratic. He was explained of the situation and was assigned CHESSAM Administrative officer, Efrida Nsini, to assist him in finalizing contract forms.. He was given a link to complete registration forms and burry the registration process. At 17:00hrs the president checked on him on the status of the registration but what he was speaking did not make sense and gave a signal that he had not done the registration process. He indicated that he was struggling, allegedly due to the state he was in. 5. The CHESSAM President followed up Joseph to some place to if registration was done. Upon getting there, FM Joseph was suspectedly under the influence of alcohol such that he even struggled to remember his password and other personal details. He was driven to the CHESSAM president's house where he was assisted to get him registered with some information, which was to be verified and completed when he would be sober. During registration, it became known that he did not have a passport indicating he lost it. Strangely, most trips he has passport issues, of late. His family assured the passport would be promptly done. 6. In foregoing, CHESSAM started mobilizing resources for his trip and one potential individual sponsor pledged to support with K211.000 (roughly 250 USD) towards the air ticket. However, on Sunday June 20, 2021, FM Joseph wrote messages and phoned the CHESSAM president demanding money from this sponsor indicating the money is his and should go to him. He also confronted the sponsor so that he sends the money to him (FM Joseph).The sponsor became annoyed and withdrew his pledged support .Through his many demands he was told there was no money for him at this point and this is where he indicated he had kids to look after and that he will not go to the WorldCup. At this point, he blocked the President as his contact on phone and there was no further communication. It was at this point that he started posting his unwillingness to go to WorldCup on social media to different groups. On the same day the CHESSAM President instituted a probe team to speak to Joseph and Parents if he would indeed go or not . The team indicated they were unable to meet the deadline and by early afternoon on Monday, July 21, 2021 there was no indication that Joseph had rescinded his decision not to go.There was no communication from Joseph or his father that he was ready to travel apart from the father sending a copy of the new passport. The President went ahead asking FIDE to replace the player. The probe team indicated they met at 17:00 hrs and in their discussion report, there was no indication that Joseph would travel to the World Cup, and by then the request to replace was already done inorder to meet the timelines. 7. Effort was made to engage his father and family to reason with him but this worsened the situation. FM Joseph started making damaging posts on social media and announced he would not go to the Chess World Cup. He went viral castigating the CHESSAM President, albeit him not disclosing that all those malicious posts was because he was refused sponsor's money. 8. Through engagement with his family and close friends, it became known that Joseph was uncontrollable as his conduct during that period was undesirable and strange. His close friend Candidate Master (CM) Petros 'Razorblade' Mfune wrote on official CHESSAM registered WhatsApp forum indicating the undesirable state of affairs and we quote: “Akupenga GM Fear. Timuikize mmapemphero”.Meaning: "Joseph is getting mad, he needs our prayers". End of quote 9. It became clear using the preceding circumstances that he might indeed not go to the World Cup and hence the President requested FIDE for his replacement with a player who had same number of points and performed equally well during the AICC, namely Fide Master elect Chiletso Chipanga.

In conclusion, the Chess World Cup is a high level Chess event and CHESSAM could not risk sending a player whose conduct was questionable and would put not only the Association but the Country in an awkward situation. FM Joseph Mwale being a star player in Malawi and a flag carrier, we expect him to be exemplary in both skill and behavior in order to motivate the upcoming players as a role model. It is also on record on how previous sponsors on CHESSAM quit the scene based on some players interfering directly with the sponsor, a conduct that has potential to bring the Association into disrepute. Chess sponsors have vacated the stage in the process due to such tendency, and the stories have been carried in reputable media in the country. CHESSAM understands that discipline is the nucleus of success for a player in any sport. Susan Polgar said and we qoute "Chess is a miniature version of life. To be successful, you need to be disciplined, assess resources, consider responsible choices and adjust when circumstances change!"...end quote

We therefore believe FM Joseph Mwale and other Chess players learn from this episode, adjust and become responsible chess players and citizens.

Gens Una Sumus! (We are one family!)

CHIMTHERE ALFRED CHESSAM Publicity Secretary DATED : JUNE 23,2021