Western Cape Chess Sport Stars Crowned

Chess Western Province (CWP) crowned elite sport stars and awarded regional colours at its annual awards ceremony in Durbanville on Saturday, 16 November 2013.

The event was supported by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS).

The Western Province League comprised 54 club teams in 2013 and the number of participants in all tournaments is steadily growing. Players affiliated to CWP performed very well in the National Club Championship, SA Junior Closed Championship and African Youth Championships.

CWP also hosted a grandmaster event in 2013 – the DSK GM Norm event – as well as the MRL Chess Paradigm tournament. The CWP-affiliated Steinitz Chess Club performed well at regional, provincial, national and continental level.

CWP President David Gluckman said, "I wish our youth every success in competing in the 2013 SAJCC event in Durban and the 2013 World Youth event in the UAE. We also wish our senior CWP A Team well in defending our Inter-union title in Durban."

Gluckman thanked DCAS, the City of Cape Town and Leisure Hotels for their support. Since last year, DCAS has been donating chess equipment to libraries across the Western Cape and support for chess at school level is helping to popularise the game.

The Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Dr Ivan Meyer described chess as "a revolution" rather than a game in the Western Cape. "We want to see chess being played at all libraries, museums and in public spaces across the province. We want to see chess grow bigger and bigger."

Candidate Master Seth-Riley Adams from Mitchells Plain was crowned the Best Primary School Male Player for 2013.

He was grateful for an award that recognised his hard work. "My family has contributed to my success, as well as coaches and fellow players who keep motivating me to do better."

CWP will host South Africa's most prestigious tournament next year when the SA Closed and SA Ladies Closed championships take place at the Fountains Hotel in Cape Town from 3 to 12 January 2014.