The Emalahleni Chess Academy successfully hosted its internationally rated Spring Open Chess Tournament.

Over the weekend of September 19 and 20, Witbank High School was transformed into a bustling hub of intense tactical battles.

The event drew a massive turnout of chess-loving juniors and adults who travelled from across South Africa and abroad.

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International contenders hailed from Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and India, all vying for top honours and international recognition.

Tournament director Fortune Macassa and chief arbiter Eddie Bhila, supported by deputy chief arbiter Leisa Mphosi and arbiters Steven Masemola and Lindokuhle Adorabella Bhila, ensured the event ran seamlessly.

All six rounds, three on Saturday and three on Sunday, were kept strictly on schedule, adhering to standard time controls.

Divided into five categories (sections A, B, C, U13 and U9), the competition offered participants medals and cash prizes across all divisions.

Section A and B results

The prestigious section A category featured fierce competition among titled players and top-rated regional talents.

Clive Mthunzi of Chess Power House took first place with an impressive 5.5 points out of six.

Celso Andre Manjate from Mozambique secured second place with five points, while third place went to Mothupi Lekgau of GoForChess, also on five points.

Botswana’s Othata Selogelo placed fourth with five points, and fifth place went to Bafana Sgudhla of Barberton High School with 4.5 points.

The best junior player award went to Abele Mokoma of Monafils School of Excellence in Lesotho.

Emalahleni Chess Academy’s players claimed the top two spots in Section B.

Thokozani Mahlangu took first place with five points out of six, while Prince Temba also scored five to take second.

Third place went to Bongumusa Mathenjwa of Embalenhle Chess Club, with Xolile Nyembe of Vikings Chess Club in fourth.

Kesen Maano Ligaraba of the University of Limpopo placed fifth.

Rorisang Shabangu of Hoërskool Generaal Hertzog was named the best junior in the section with a score of four out of six.

Section C, U13 and U9 winners

In section C, Petrus Makua of the University of Limpopo took first place, followed by Sthembiso Khumalo of Emalahleni Chess Academy in second, Marcus Churne Nailana of the University of Limpopo in third, Gift Mampane of Emalahleni Chess Academy in fourth, and Govindam Tripathi from India in fifth.

Gift Maseko of HTS Witbank was named the best junior player in this section.

In the U13 section, local players excelled. Tinotenda Gweshe of Uplands in Ehlanzeni scored a perfect five out of five to claim first place.

Zethub Maminza of Laerskool Middelburg placed second, Neo Lentsoane of Laerskool Reyno Rif took third, followed by Aina Shafina Manjate from Mozambique in fourth, and Martin Scholtz of Laerskool CR Swart in fifth.

Margaret Mazo was named the best girl player with four points out of five.

Jonathan Rodrigo Mussa Correia of Willow International School in Mozambique won the U9 section with a perfect score of five out of five.

Daniel Heyns from eMalahleni took second place, followed by Izak Jacobs of Laerskool CR Swart in third, Kaelin Vanya Kaboyaone from Botswana in fourth, and Phiwokuhle Ngoma of Mkhanyo Primary School in fifth.

Mia Elsin was named the best girl player in this division.

“We extend our gratitude to Witbank High School for hosting the venue, the arbiters for their flawless execution, and all players and supporters who made the 2026 edition an unforgettable success,” said Macassa.

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