THE uThungulu District team returned triumphant last week after competing in the annual South African Junior Chess Championship, hosted in Kimberley by Chess South Africa.
Participating for the first time at this national competition, 66 players from the uThungulu District Chess Association qualified for the team events, competing in the U12 to U20 divisions.
The players came from various towns in the District including Eshowe, Richards Bay, Empangeni, St Lucia and Nkandla.
This was an incredible achievement for the uThungulu District Chess Association as the players were exposed to competing on a national level, and had the opportunity to test their skills against some of the best players in the country.
The uThungulu players proved they were worthy of the challenge and made their region proud.
In the Team Prizes category, awarded to those that achieve top three positions, the uThungulu District U18 squad took gold by winning all seven of the matches they played.
Board Prizes, given to individual players who win the most games in their division and section, went to Nkululeko Dumakude (U14), Namelani Dlamini (U18), Phumlani Mdlalose (U18) and Ryan Coetzee (U20).
uThungulu District Chess Association Chairperson, Lisa Griffiths, is excited about the future of chess in the region and said they will certainly be sending players to future national competitions.
‘I would like to extend my gratitude to team managers Thulani Lamula, Pamela Peter, Michelle Read, Makhosonke Dhlalisa and Nishi and Joey Baboolal,’ said Griffiths.
‘Their time and effort played a big role in our success.
‘Chess has been promoted by the presidency as an answer to poverty, unemployment and other social ills facing the country.
‘Chess players not only require a good knowledge of the game: they need to plan strategically; have an understanding of body language; have immense concentration and patience; and of course have the determination to win.
‘These are all invaluable skills that the players carry through to their personal and academic lives.’
For further information on joining the chess club or for chess lessons, contact Lisa Griffiths on 083 6581823 or email griffithsbh@telkomsa.net
