Co-founder and head of Wanderers Chess Club Jay van der Berg reflected on how the board game, which has become an integral part of his life, taught him patience, accountability, and resilience.

Van der Berg was introduced to chess in primary school by his mother. “At the time, it was a game we played together, but I didn’t take it seriously until much later in life. During Covid-19, in 2020, online chess exploded, and I found myself going down a rabbit hole on YouTube, watching documentaries and videos about the history of chess and legendary players like Paul Morphy and Bobby Fischer.”

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He added that the deep dive into the stories behind the game is what truly hooked him. From there, he became immersed in online chess, playing regularly on platforms like Lichess.org and Chess.com. Chess quickly became a daily part of his life.

The head of chess noted that, although he does not have a list of accolades, “my strengths and personality have naturally pushed me toward building chess, rather than collecting titles.”

He’s taken on roles that allow him to grow the game, as head of chess, an arbiter, and an executive committee member of Johannesburg Metro Chess. “A recent highlight was finishing third at the Gauteng Inter-Region Team Championship, which was especially meaningful because it was a team achievement. I couldn’t have done it without the support and effort of my teammates.”

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The chess player explained that the Wanderers Chess Club was established two years ago. “We were originally the Rosebank Chess Club, a social group without a permanent home. When we began meeting weekly at the Chariots Bar, I started pushing for sessions that were more structured, a proper chess club that our members truly deserved.”

Van der Berg detailed that one of the lessons he took from the board game was not blaming anyone else for your mistakes. “It’s also taught me how to stay calm under pressure, how to recover from bad positions, and how to think long term, rather than chasing short-term wins. Perhaps most importantly, chess has shown me that progress comes from honest self-reflection and consistent effort, not talent alone.”

He advised people who are interested in taking up the sport to simply start. “Everyone loses at chess, especially in the beginning. Chess is one of the most welcoming games once you step into the community, and the only real barrier is convincing yourself that you’re not good enough.”

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