Chess Takes Centre Stage in Gugulethu

The Gugulethu Chess Open on 15 March 2014 showed that grassroots chess development is alive and well in the Western Cape. Over 50 Cape Metropole development players between the ages of 6 and 18 competed in the tournament hosted by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and the City of Cape Town.

The contest took place over seven rounds. In each round, each player got 20 minutes to play all his or her moves. In that time contestants had to checkmate their opponents, force them to resign or agree to a draw. Anyone who did not complete the task in 20 minutes lost, but did not get knocked out. The tournament format, known as the Swiss system, is a wonderful way of giving all participants a chance. Even if a contestant loses a game, he or she could make a comeback and win the tournament.

Keegan Agulhas (from Bellville) won the tournament, Seth-Riley Adams (Mitchells Plain) came second and Kaylyn Fritz (Eerste River) came third. At the same time as the tournament was being played, 30 children from Gugulethu who had never played were being taught how, and their parents were being encouraged to participate as well. Local chess player Bongiwe Makubela (17) said he enjoyed playing in the tournament. “The more tournaments I play, the more I can improve.”

DCAS Director for Sport Promotion Thabo Tutu said that chess is not yet that popular in Gugulethu but the “chess revolution” that Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Dr Ivan Meyer announced in 2011 is catching the eye of township players. “The Gugulethu tournament exposed chess development players to competition and new players joined in. A grandmaster from the township might have been born here today.” DCAS hopes to organise another tournament in the township later this year.