Young chess players from Midrand and surrounding areas put their skills to the test during the Midrand Juniors Classical Tournament, which attracted 66 players across seven age categories.

Hosted by the Midrand Chess Club at Carlswald House Preparatory School on August 29, the tournament allowed junior players to gain valuable experience in classical chess while competing against players of different skill levels.

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Players contested five rounds under a 60-minute-plus-60-minute time control, requiring them to manage their time, concentration and decision-making throughout lengthy games. The tournament featured categories ranging from U8 to U18, with several young players producing encouraging performances.

In the U8 category, Anashe Chikarakara claimed first place, followed by Khotso Ntseare in second. Alexander Stelloh won the U10 section, while Onalerona Khosana took first place in the U12 category. Jeevesh Subroyen emerged as the winner of the U16 category, while Ofana Tema topped the U18 section.

The younger categories proved particularly encouraging for organisers, with several developing players showing the potential to compete at higher levels as they gain more tournament experience.

Midrand Chess Club organiser and coach Kgosimang Molefe said the club was pleased with the turnout, competitiveness and atmosphere on the day.

“One of our main objectives is to create more opportunities for young players in and around Midrand to experience serious, structured chess, and this tournament achieved that,” said Molefe. “It also allowed players to experience the discipline and standards required in classical chess.

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“We had initially anticipated between 55 and 60 players, so reaching 66 was encouraging and exceeded our expectations,” Molefe added. “We were also happy to have players from Greenside High School and Noordwyk Primary School, among others.”

For players preparing for competitions such as the Gauteng Closed, Mzanzi Provincials and inter-regional events, Molefe said tournaments such as this provide an important platform to test their preparation under competitive conditions.

Playing five classical rounds also allows players to identify weaknesses in their game and understand the areas they need to improve before facing stronger opposition. Unlike rapid chess, classical chess places greater demands on players’ ability to maintain concentration, manage their time and make calculated decisions over a longer period.

The tournament also provided an important learning experience for parents and young players about the strict rules governing competitive chess.

Molefe recalled an incident involving a young player who needed to use the bathroom during a game. The player’s parent interacted with the child while the game was still underway, resulting in the arbiter applying the rules relating to outside assistance and communication during a game. The match was subsequently forfeited by the player.

“It was a difficult moment, particularly because the player was young, but it was also an important learning experience for everyone,” said Molefe. “Parents were able to see first-hand that tournament chess has very specific rules that must be followed to protect the integrity and fairness of the competition.”

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