First battle starts between kings and queens

Uplands College hosted the tournament, deemed a huge success, on Saturday.

A total of 207 players of all ages participated, testing their mental mettle and skill against one another.

The youngest players on the day were Robert Arugundiya and Schalk Loock (6) and the oldest, Tyrel Flattery (46).

Interim secretary of Ehlanzeni Chess, Lizelle Douglass, said the school’s work and effort made it the success it was.

“A big thank you to Uplands College. It was their first, and they promised that it is definitely not their last. We had a lot of fun and chess reigned supreme in the end.”

It was an ABC open tournament with five categories. Each category depended on the rating and age of the players.

Among the senior players, Banele Mhango came out tops in concentration and strategy. He did not lose a single match, taking top honours on the day. Mthobisi Maluka and Dumisa Nkosi took second and third places in the open category.

The A-section saw Marcel Barnard win, followed by Simphiwe Magadlela and Lindokuhle Bhila, who took home third prize.

Sfiso Matsebula, Nicolis Grobler and Dylan Mattheus, who competed in the B-section, proved themselves the best at thwarting their opponents’ tactics, winning first, second and third prize in the category, respectively.

Results (open, A and B sections)
Open 
• First – Banele Mhango 5/5
• Second – Mthobisi Maluka 4/5
• Third – Dumisa Nkosi 4/5

A 
• First – Marcel Barnard 4½/5
• Second – Simphiwe Magadlela 4/5
• Third – Lindokuhle Bhila 4/5

B
• First – Sfiso Matsebula 5/5
• Second – Nicholis Grobler 4½/5
• Third – Dylan Mattheus 4/5.