Chess in the ‘hood

Kagisho Maesela is bringing chess to the Brixton community and its surrounding areas.

Maesela, an engineer by profession, has taken the initiative of starting a chess club, based at the Brixton Recreation Centre for all to join.

The motivation behind this venture, more than anything, is to give back to the community while keeping youths off the streets.

Maesela believes that chess is often perceived as a game for the intelligent, and he wishes to dispel that myth.

“People think that you have to be intelligent to play chess but that is not necessarily true. Chess is a social game that stimulates your brain and allows you to be strategic, which can also assist you while studying or in everyday life.”

“It is also not a game of colour because I play with people of all races.”

Although chess might not be a game of colour, Maesela hopes the game would gain favour with the female gender, as much as it has with the male.

“I hope to get more females to join, because we only have one girl at the moment, which is a bit imbalanced.”

Maesela’s goal is to get as many members as possible, to allow the club to compete in the Gauteng league.

“My short term goal is to get as many passionate people as possible to train and to play the game,” he said.

“My long term goal is to compete with other chess clubs in Gauteng so I am hoping we will have a formidable team by 2014 that will enable us to join the league.

The club is open to any individual interested in learning or playing chess and has a free Monday evening to lend.

Maesela, former founding member of the Mafefe Chess Club is offering free training services at the Brixton Recreation Centre every Monday, at 6pm.

Details: Kagisho Maesela 076-915-0621, maeselakg@yahoo.com