Personality, patience, fighting spirit, hard work and confidence are mentioned when searching for what it takes to be a chess champion.

The second-year BCom Law student, Anje van Jaarsveld, ticks all the boxes and more. That is why she was selected to represent Tuks at the USSA Championships during the last week of November.

“I love the intense thinking that comes with playing. Each game is unique and requires strategic planning and concentration, making it challenging every time. I am terribly competitive and love a challenge. When playing, I continuously gain new insights and skills. It is as if the game never stops developing and keeps me sharp and motivated,” was Van Jaarsveld’s answer on the question about what she loves about playing chess.

She believes her strength is her ability to spot patterns quickly and remember positions. It helps her to learn tactics and strategies and implement them quickly on the board. This is an advantage in the heat of a match.

“I have a few favourite openings in my repertoire, which I have honed over time. So, I know them inside out. It’s great to see how a familiar opening can surprise opponents and force them to adjust their openings. In chess, you choose your openings based on who else plays them and how well they can play them. I often draw inspiration from the ‘Grandmasters’ games,” she remarked during a recent interview.

According to Van Jaarsveld, there are no shortcuts to playing competitive chess.

“Chess requires hours of practice and constant learning. You’ll struggle to make sacrifices if you don’t love the game. When preparing for a tournament, I usually review my favourite openings. I also research my potential opponents’ past matches to identify possible patterns. Fitness is of cardinal importance as it enables you to concentrate for long periods,” she explained.

The longest match she has ever been involved in lasted four hours.

“My secret to long focus is drinking lots of water. It may sound strange, but it helps me stay clear and energetic,” she remarked.

Competing at the African Youth Championships in Ghana in 2021 was a definite highlight. She finished second in her age group.

Van Jaarsveld’s advice to young players is to be patient and have a willingness to learn.

“Chess is not something you master overnight. It takes time and commitment. Focus on the basics, but be bold and try new things. Learn from your mistakes and remember that every game is an opportunity to grow, regardless of the outcome. Newcomers to the game should watch The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix. It’s a brilliant narrative that engagingly presents the game. After that, they should play a few friendly matches on Lichess to experience the charm of chess first-hand. It might be what they need to bite the chess bug,” she concluded.

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