North Coast junior chess players shine at Gqeberha championships
Eight North Coast players showcased their skills while representing KZN.
North Coast juniors impressed at the national chess championships, earning medals and top rankings in a standout showing for the young club.
The North Coast Chess Club (NCCC), founded in 2022, had eight members representing KwaZulu-Natal across four age groups at the Mzansi Interprovincial Chess Team and Individual Championships, held at the Sun Boardwalk Hotel in Gqeberha from December 15 to 20.
The tournament began with a six-round team competition over three days, followed by the individual championships.
In the U14 section, Snehin Shravan Kumar of Crawford International North Coast helped KZN secure first place and a gold medal. Tristan Moodley (Reddam House Ballito) competed in the U14 individual category but did not medal.
The U12A team – featuring Devlin and Kai Moodley (Reddam), Jared Wilson and Zipho Makhoba (Ashton International College Ballito) – earned bronze medals with a strong third-place finish. Jared Wilson stood out, winning all six of his games, finishing second in board performance and ranking in the overall top five for his age group, the only KZN player to do so.
In the individual competition, Zinkwazi Beach’s Asher Ellender (10) placed third in the U12 section, qualifying for the 2026 South African Junior Chess Championships.
“It was a big tournament and I often struggled to find where I was sitting,” said Asher.
“I loved being in PE, particularly for the Friesland Milkshakes!” he said.
Tongaat’s Sahilan Doorsamy (Belverton Secondary School) competed in the U16 team event, gaining valuable experience against some of South Africa’s top juniors. Matthew Virah (Umhlali Preparatory School) earned a bronze medal with the Gauteng U10B team as a travelling reserve, stepping in for a shorthanded team.
Jared’s mother, Joelene, said the club had made a meaningful contribution to the KZN teams, particularly in the junior age groups.
“These achievements highlight both individual excellence and the steady development of our young players,” she said.
The NCCC meets every Wednesday evening at Ballito Hills Estate’s Bean There Restaurant. For more information, contact [email protected] or Zoe Ellender on 082 455 3098.
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