Checkmate for Ilembe chess boffs

Fifty-three of our young chess whizzes made an impression at the South African Junior Chess Championships at the University of Cape Town (January 3 to 7) where they bagged a number of prizes.

The Ilembe team, made up of a number of schools across the district, took part in five divisions: under 10, 12, 14, 16 and under 18.

The under 10 team returned with seventh position in the C section, the under 12s came third in the C section, the under 14s were fifth in the C section, the under 16s came second in the D section and the under 18s were fifth in the C section.

Individual board prizes went to under 12s Kylan Pillay and Njabulo Khumalo, and under 16s Banele Mbokazi, Richard Paterson, Kuhlekonke Mpanza and Sabelo Shandu.

Ilembe Chess Association chairperson, Welcome Gamede, said he was impressed with the outstanding achievements of the chess teams the region had produced.

The team also travelled to the South African Junior Chess Championship in Kimberly last year January and out of 25 regions they claimed seventh position.

Also worth mentioning is an impressive third position that had the Ilembe district municipality deputy mayor dancing on the stage at the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) games last December in KwaDukuza.

“We did very well at the SALGA games because some of our players had just been representing KZN at the 2015 Top Schools Chess Tournament in Pretoria,” said Gamede.

The top schools tournament was held last December 10 to 16 and Ilembe had three teams that represented KZN.

Khayelemfundo Primary School from Mandeni won gold in the under 15 girls’ division. Umhlali Preparatory school had two teams, a mixed team and a girls’ team playing in the under 13 category. The mixed team claimed fifth position and the girls’ team were fourth.

Gamede was enthusiastic about the beneficial effects of chess for school pupils of all ages.

He believes that it increases levels of concentration, helps children learn to plan their actions and teaches them discipline.

Gamede said they are trying to introduce the sport into all rural schools and so far, Ndwedwe and Mandeni are showing the most promise.

“We still need to introduce the sport in Maphumulo this year, however we still need to identify the schools that we will visit,” said Gamede.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.

Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join us on BBM at 59015786
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.