An exciting international primary school chess tournament took place on March 7 at Loyola Primary School (LPS) in Emdeni, Soweto.

Organised by the Nhlanhla Tshabalala Foundation (NTF), learners from LPS competed against a junior chess team from Moscow, Russia.

NTF is an organisation dedicated to creating opportunities for children from disadvantaged communities through education, sports, and global exposure.

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The virtual, friendly yet highly competitive tournament created a meaningful platform for cultural exchange, critical thinking, and global learning amongst young players.

‘’This tournament was an incredible opportunity for our learners to test their skills on an international platform. We are immensely proud of their courage, discipline, and sportsmanship. Experiences like this inspire them to continue learning, growing, and believing in their potential,’’ said Nhlanhla Tshabanlala, founder of NTF.

The event highlighted the growing role of chess in education, where the game is increasingly recognised for strengthening critical problem-solving skills, concentration, patience and resilience.

Several learners from LPS performed exceptionally well, with two players finishing in the top five competitors in the tournament, with one learner securing 3rd place and another achieving fifth place.

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The NTF expressed appreciation to the learners, the chess coach, educators, and supporting partners who made the international exchange possible.
Headline: International Primary School Chess Tournament Connects young minds