Local chess coach ranks first in SA
The chess fundi also competed in the SA Open Chess Championships in Cape Town from July 9–17, where she placed third.
CHESS teacher Nobuhle Ndunakazi (25) was recently named Best Lady at the South African Blitz Chess tournament, ranking first in the country. Blitz chess is a faster version of chess in which competitors race against the clock.
The chess fundi also competed in the SA Open Chess Championship in Cape Town from July 9–17, where she placed third. Ndunakazi also attended the South Africa Schools National Championship from July 3–7 as a coach for the KZN girls U18 team. The team placed third.
Ndunakazi is a national chess instructor who teaches chess at Sycamore Academy in Umbilo.
“I started playing chess when I was nine years old and began taking part in tournaments after I was selected for the KwaZulu-Natal chess team at the age of 16, in 2013,” said Ndunakazi.
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She was introduced to chess by her neighbour in Umntoyedwa where she grew up and continues to live.
“I saw my neighbour, Cyril Danisa, playing chess with his son, and I was interested. Before then, I had never heard of chess. He taught me to play,” said Ndunakazi.
Since then, Ndunakazi has been hooked.
“Once I started playing chess, I never looked back. It’s a challenging game – you become emotionally invested,” she added.
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Louis Arde, Sycamore Academy principal, said Ndunakazi introduced chess as a school subject.
“Nobuhle is excited to use her chess prowess to develop and improve the multi-faceted thinking prowess of the children in the school. The Glenwood area applauds Nobuhle’s achievements and the impact that she will have on our community,” he said.
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