Players learn the tricks of the trade at chess camp
It is a holistic training platform where teachers, parents and anyone else interested in coaching chess, get together and share training material, learn how to teach chess, ask questions and share experiences.
When the newly selected committee for the Ehlanzeni Chess Federation met for their first meeting this year, they decided that training would be a main focus point during 2015.
The two committee members concerned with training, Marco Craig and Eddy Bhila, established the Ehlanzeni Coaches Forum. It is a holistic training platform where teachers, parents and anyone else interested in coaching chess, get together and share training material, learn how to teach chess, ask questions and share experiences.
The first training camp for the players was held on Saturday at the Ehlanzeni FET College Campus in Mbombela.
The camp was open to any person who had an interest in chess and was free of charge. It was conducted by various coaches from the Ehlanzeni Coaches Forum, some of whom are top senior players. The players were divided into three sections: beginners, intermediate and advanced. Each coach focused on a different area of chess, namely opening, middle game and endgame. Around 60 players attended the camp and the outcome was more than satisfying. Chess has to compete with so many other sporting codes and to get so many players to attend, shows the commitment from teachers, players and parents.
Chess in the Lowveld is growing and is very much alive. There is a huge number of chess players and we have to do all we can to get our players to the top and to be able to compete against the other provinces at the South African Junior Chess Championships. The children in the region are hungry to learn and to improve.
The next gathering will be on
June 13 and August 1.
Parents as well as teachers and players are encouraged to register on the Ehlanzeni Coaches Forum’s website and take a look at all the training material available. The address is ehlanzenicoachesforum@outlook.co.za.
Visit www.ehlanzenichess.co.za for more information.
This weekend Laerskool Lydenburg will host a chess tournament and players are urged to register on the website. These tournaments are not only for schoolkids but for senior players as well.
