The HPCL entered its second week, and all 16 teams were present for their fixtures.
Harare City chess club was held to a 3-all draw by new outfit 4393 Chess Academy despite Tinashe Chinhanga and Farai Hamandishe winning on Board 1 and 2 respectively. 4393 had a strong comeback on the lower boards. Buttonshaw Chaparadza overpowered Christine Makwena on Board 3, while Gibson Malije succumbed to Victor Mutandwa on board 4. Ian Mashumba escaped with a lucky win against Tagarira Dylan on Board 5. The Citizens could have won the fixture had Petros Tambudze been conservative with his time but his flag fell against Reminage Sengu on Board 6 to end the match on shared points.
UZ Chess Club bounced back from their first-week frustrating defeat to claim a surprising win against Belvedere Freepiece. Wins from Alms Machengedzero, Talent Nyamajiwa and Phineas Musipa were enough to swing the match in their favour because of the walkover gift to Garamukanwa on Board 3.
This weekend only 2 games were drawn out of the 48 games within the 8 fixtures. One of the draws came in the match between Harare Poly and Harare Chess Academy. 11-year-old Shantel Ihude exhibited resilience and grit laced with impeccable end-game technique to hold Tichaona Chiwato to a draw on Board 1.
In other HPCL 2025 matches, Chitown Masters dispensed Reserve Bank 6 nil, and CBZ lost to Knights Chess Academy. Waterfalls and Immortals collected points against Zimworx and Axis respectively. Mhondoro Chess had an easy win over Minerva who took the risk of sending only 3 players for the fixture.