Junior chess champs in full swing

Chess
Fierce contests await before ranking points are awarded.
  • 6 Months Ago 08 March 2024
In the realm where intellect meets strategy, where every move holds the weight of countless possibilities good or bad, a grand spectacle is set to unfold – the Bank Windhoek 2024 Namibia National Junior Open Chess Championships.

The competition held at Windhoek Gymnasium this weekend will be a Swiss system tournament played over seven rounds. It will include the girls and open sections of U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18 and U20 on Saturday. The schools’ teams will play on Sunday, in the primary, secondary and academy categories.



JUNIOR CHAMPION

As pieces come to life and boards ignite in fervour, seasoned masters and rising prodigies from across the country will test their mettle and stake their claim for much-needed FIDE rating points.

The top eight players from the championships will advance to Swakopmund for the grand finale – the closed junior championships, scheduled from 28 to 31 March, where the cream of the crop will be crowned champion.

Goodwill Khoa, the Namibia Chess Federation president, said: “The championships promise to be a memorable chapter in the rich tapestry of Namibian chess history. It is more than just a tournament, as it celebrates the nation’s chess talent and it is a platform for young players to make their mark on the competitive circuit.”



NATIONAL SCHOOLS TITLES

The Bank Windhoek 2024 nationals schools individual chess championships concluded last weekend at Windhoek High School. The competition saw chess players vie for coveted trophies and medals in age groups, from under-7 to U19.

The under-7 girls champion is Sarah-Anne du Toit from Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool, with her WAP school mate Swart Lourens claiming the open under-7 section title.

In the girls’ under-9 category, Hamutumwa Iyaloo from St. George’s reigned supreme to claim gold, with WAP’s Frederick Cronje displaying ultimate dominance over the boys.

In the girls’ under-11, Shadah Uanguta claimed the overall title, with Johannes Christiaan Cronje winning it from the boys.

The girls’ under-13 category saw Andrea Swart display dominance, with John Peter van Zyl doing the same in the boys’ category.

The girls’ under-15 saw Linekela Itembu reign supreme, with Ashron Damens doing the same in the boys’ section.

In the girls’ under-17 category, Jamie-Nicole Beukes finished at the top, with Stefan Becker winning it from the boys’ side. The under-19 girls’ category was dominated by Tracey-Lee Beukes, while Junior Nafimane Heita dominated the open section.