ECU aims to up their game
The region boasted three teams in the A-Championship Section, where the top eight regions in the country competed. The u/10 and u/18-teams played in the B-section.
Ehlanzeni Chess Union’s local teams departed on January 3 for Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg for the annual South Africa Junior Chess Championship.
The event was held from January 4 to 9. Zuan Taljaard ended in the seventh spot in the B-section of the competition out of 96 players, scoring 5,5 out of seven. Meanwhile, Candidate Master Banele Mhango won the Board One board price in the u/18 category. Ehlanzeni entered nine teams this year.
The region boasted three teams in the A-Championship Section, where the top eight regions in the country competed. The u/10 and u/18-teams played in the B-section. “It was tough at the top for our chess players. They competed with the country’s best, but they battled hard and gave them a run for their money! Some did not go down without a fight. We managed to wrestle and scooped some points off the big names in chess,” said club secretary, Danielia van Heerden. The girls’ u/18 occupied third position.
The players also had the privilege of meeting another super chess grandmaster, Levon Aronian from Armenia. Aronian is currently ranked sixth in the world. During the event, the organisers held a blitz tournament. There were two sections – players rated over 1 600 (A section) and players rated less than 1 600 (B section). “Instead of letting the losses break them, they are ready to take on the challenge this year to show that they have learned from their mistakes. They have grown as chess players and as human beings. We look forward to an awesome 2020 chess calendar. We have our work cut out for us and we are ready for the challenge!”
