Young Kempton Park chess star eyes success at national championship

Kempton Park chess enthusiast and academic achiever Owethu Bhomela (13) is set to compete in the upcoming Closed Chess Championship, where he hopes to represent his community and make his loved ones proud.

Owethu, together with his parents, recently shared his journey and growing passion for the game.

He began playing chess at the age of 11 while attending Laerskool Kreft Primary.

ALSO READ: Kempton Park School Chess Community hosts annual community market on June 28

His interest deepened after discovering chess training sessions at his local library, where he regularly honed his skills.

Although his early experiences were challenging, with several losses along the way, Owethu remained determined.

His perseverance paid off when he qualified for the Ekurhuleni inter-regional tournament, where he earned a board prize.

He has since gone on to win multiple awards at the Kempton Park Chess Club and has also received Gauteng Provincial Federation colours.

ALSO READ: Young chess star aged just 11 eyes nationals

Described by his parents as an extrovert who takes initiative, Owethu has shown leadership both on and off the chessboard. From coaches to members of the church his family attends, many of his connections have been initiated by him.

He currently holds a rating of 14.25 and counts the knight as his favourite chess piece.

“Opponents can never see me coming, especially when I use the knight,” he said.

“I love the tactics and calculations. The fact that there are so many possibilities in chess makes me happy because I enjoy games that challenge my mind.”

Owethu draws inspiration from world-renowned chess champion Magnus Carlsen. He regularly watches instructional content online and plays on platforms such as Lichess and Chess.com to improve his analytical skills and opening strategies.

His coach, Tshediso Mpeye, described him as an ambitious young player with great potential.

ALSO READ: Tembisa Schools Chess Cluster hosts 2025 tournament

“His disciplined character and openness to learning are what make him stand out from other students I’ve coached,” said Mpeye.

The Closed Chess Championship, taking place in Rustenburg from March 28 to April 2, will provide Owethu with an opportunity to showcase his talent on a bigger stage.

Owethu and his family are currently seeking sponsorship to support his journey as he aims to climb the competitive chess ranks. Potential sponsors can contact his parents via email at Prudencemorema@gmail.com.