Chess club makes moves to groom future masters

TWO former chess champions have formed a chess club in Ha-Tshisele village in Majiga in Thohoyandou to pass on their chess skills.

Best Rannenyeni and Muthupei Mauba formed the Majiga Chess Club in 2013.

Rannenyeni was a chess champion in Gauteng, while Mauba is a former Limpopo chess champion, who also played abroad.

“We formed the chess club to groom young people to become chess masters.

“We are now a group of about 30 chess players and we meet every weekend at Majiga Tavern. We know that people are bored over weekends with nowhere to go and we decided to keep them busy with chess,” says Rannenyeni.

He says playing chess also helps to improve learners’ concentration and thinking in subjects such as mathematics and science.

“With maths and science, we know our children will have good futures and find lucrative jobs.

“We also visit local schools, where we teach the learners more about chess,” he says.

One of the members of the Majiga Chess Club, Itani Mulaleni, says chess has made him more open minded.

“I am also a chess coach for the club and always ensure the chess equipment is safe after each game,” says Mulaleni.

Chess lovers who are interested to join the club can contact Rannenyeni at 076 396 2216.