Edenvale’s king of chess
Mpho lost his mother when he was three years old and went through a difficult time. He stopped playing chess.
At just seven years old, Edenvale chess prodigy Mpho Bowers is the youngest member of the national junior team.
“No other child of his age has ever achieved what Mpho has,” said his proud father Justin. Mpho played for the Johannesburg metro in 2018 and soon joined the Tshwane metro team.
“This was a progressive move for him as the team has good coaches and players,” said Justin.
Mpho is a popular learner at Pinnacle College Founders Hill and is described as an “active, competitive and fast learner.”
He also advocates against bullying at school and takes part in martial arts, tennis and swimming.
“I always warn the bullies to stay away from my friends,” said a confident Mpho.
Mpho lost his mother when he was three years old and went through a difficult time. He stopped playing chess.
He later saw his father playing chess for leisure and soon picked up the chess pieces again.
His participation in martial arts aided his confidence and discipline and chess taught him patience.
“Chess also helped him acquire the skill to listen more as he was coached,” said Justin.
The youngster admires Kenneth Solomon, a South African chess grandmaster and his favourite chess player is grandmaster Wesley So who he had the privilege of meeting last year.
Mpho is a big brother to two-year-old Thando who also enjoys contemplating her next move on the chess board.
The siblings enjoy challenging each other and watching martial art movies like Blood Sport or any Bruce Lee movie.
Mpho dreams of being a pilot one day and his favourite aircraft is the A380.
Mpho is set to attend the World Cadet Chess Championship in Georgia and the African Youth Commonwealth Games in Cameroon next year.
“We will appreciate sponsorship towards Mpho’s chess journey next year,” said Justin.
Those interested in supporting this Edenvale chess star can email lebogangs@caxton.co.za
