On 5th September 2023, the Zambia under 18 National Chess team initiated their campaign at the Africa Youth Chess Championship with a steady performance in the first round of the tournament. During the initial round of matches held at Barron Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, Zambia secured 5 wins, encountered 9 losses, and played to 3 draws. According to reports from ZANIS Sports in Cairo, Egypt, David Kapembwa, a Committee Member of the Chess Federation of Zambia and delegation leader, attributed the players' average performance to the stress of the long trip, as the games took place on the same day as their arrival. Kapembwa expressed optimism that as the players settle in, they will demonstrate spirited performances as the tournament progresses. Joseph Hambayi, Zambia's highest-rated player with a rating of 1983 by the World Chess Federation (FIDE), conveyed his confidence in the team's ability to secure victories in the upcoming games. He emphasized his approach to the game with an open-minded mentality and unwavering confidence. The Africa Youth Chess Championship caters to players between 6 and 18 years old, offering various categories to accommodate participants with diverse skill levels in the game of chess. Cairo, Egypt, is hosting over 450 participants from across Africa for the Africa Youth Chess Championship, with this year's edition spanning from 1st September to 9th September 2023.