Ehlanzeni’s best chess players compete in Benoni
Ehlanzeni Chess' six best players are currently in Benoni, Johannesburg for the annual South African Junior Closed Chess Championship (SAJCCC) - the most prestigious national junior event in chess.
Mieke Pauer, Arjun Sopanam-Prabha, Adolph Nkosi, Lindokuhle Bhila, Suné du Preez and Banele Mhango are among 300 players who have been invited to the tournament.
All the games and events they participated in throughout the year culminate in this one event. This is where the champions are crowned and where the players are selected to represent South Africa overseas.
The tournament consists of 11 rounds – two per day. It is a 90/90-minute game each with increments, which means some games can last up to five hours, especially in the top boards and top age groups.
“It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. We are very proud taking into consideration that six of our players are presenting us in Johannesburg. We would like to thank Tsogo Sun and Lowvelder for their sponsorship of these players,” said Karen Taljaard of Ehlanzeni Chess.
For young Mieke (u/8) from Laerskool Nelspruit, it is her first SAJCCC. She qualified through the Wild Card event. She undoubtedly has a promising chess future ahead.
Arjun of Horizon Academy in Malalane is participating in the u/10 open section. It is his second attempt at the SAJCCC and will most definitely achieve wonderful results.
Adolph (u/18) of EJ Singwane High School, is the current Mpumalanga Schools Chess u/18 champion.
His highlight was a top-five finish at the National Schools Chess Championship in Durban during June 2017.
Another pupil of EJ Simgwane High, Lindokuhle (u/14) has represented South Africa in the Commonwealth Chess Championship held in Sri Lanka in 2016.
Hoërskool Nelspruit’s Suné du Preez also represented South Africa at the World Youth Games held in Durban in 2014 and the Africa Games in 2016. She is competing in the u/14 section.
Banele Mhango (u/16) from Lihawu High School was awarded the international title of candidate master after finishing third in the African Youth Chess Championship held in Egypt in December 2017.
Banele is the first and currently the only chess player in Mpumalanga with an international title. He is chasing the title of Fide Master and is working hard towards his goal.
“We wish our players all of the best and we know that they will fly the Ehlanzeni Chess flag high,” Taljaard concluded.
