Fast-paced strategy and festive spirit marked the North Coast Chess Club’s end-of-year Atomic Chess tournament in Ballito.

Hosted every Monday evening at Ballito Hills Estate’s Bean There Restaurant, NCCC caters for members aged six to 60. Players compete in five-week, term-based standard tournaments and for cash prizes in formats including Blitz, Doubles and Random.

The Christmas-themed tournament on December 1 marked the club’s first year using the popular Atomic Chess format.

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In this variant, capturing a piece causes an “explosion” that removes the captured piece, the capturing piece and all surrounding non-pawn pieces, including the opponent’s king if adjacent, while pawns are immune.

The game is won by exploding the opponent’s king, although checkmate remains possible. Kings may also move next to each other as a defensive tactic, making the format fast paced and highly tactical, often producing quick, decisive results.

Asher Ellender won the tournament, with Kai Moodley finishing second and Jared Wilson third.

Jared’s mother, Jolene Wilson, said the club’s first year had been successful but challenging, as conflicting school activities sometimes limited young players’ availability.

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To encourage greater participation, the club will move its weekly meetings from Monday to Wednesday evenings.

Contact info@northcoastchessclub.org or Zoe Ellender on 082 455 3098 or zoe@sugarbay.co.za to find out more.

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