Midrand Chess Club’s young stars have exceeded expectations, finishing second in a competitive Johannesburg league after holding their own against some of the city’s established clubs.

The Midrand Juniors A team secured an impressive second-place finish in the JMC Teams League, with Mzanzi Chess Academy A claiming the title and Mzanzi Chess Academy finishing third.

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The juniors concluded their league campaign at The Wanderers Club on November 9, where they played their final two encounters of the season. The league, which meets one Sunday a month, features teams of six players, with each individual victory adding a point to the team’s overall score.

Speaking to the Midrand Reporter on November 10, Midrand Chess Club coach Kgosimang Molefe congratulated the Juniors A team on its achievement, highlighting the significance of finishing ahead of several established clubs.

“A massive congratulations to Midrand Juniors A for securing second place. Finishing ahead of several established clubs is a testament to the hard work, commitment and determination of our young players,” he said.

Molefe also praised the club’s Juniors B team, whose younger players faced tough competition, including teams featuring players under the age of 12.

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“Our Midrand Juniors B team also deserves recognition. Competing against teams that included U12 players, our younger players put in a commendable performance and held their own against the competition. This was a valuable experience for their development and a glimpse of what the future holds,” he said.

For the coach, however, the league was about more than medals and final standings, with the opportunity to develop young talent remaining a key priority.

“For us, this is about more than just the final standings; it is about giving young players opportunities to compete, gain experience, build confidence and measure themselves against the best.” He added that the club was incredibly proud of both teams for representing Midrand with determination and sportsmanship.

The second-place finish marks an encouraging milestone for the Midrand Juniors A players, whose performances against experienced opposition have demonstrated the growing potential of the club’s young chess talent.

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