Hoedspruit AFB crowned 2017 chess champions

This comes after the inclusion of chess as an additional sporting code in the SAAF by Chief of the South African Air Force (CAF) Lieutenant General Fabian Zakes Msimang in March 2016.

As he handed over the awards to the winners, the Officer Commanding South African Air Force Gymnasium, Colonel Riaan van Wyk, congratulated all the participants for their sterling performance during the championship and in particular the host team Air Force Base Hoedspruit for winning the championship.

In addition, Col van Wyk mentioned that unlike any other sport, chess is a game which acquire players to use tactics and strategy to win.

“You must always think out of the box and never give up”.

READ: AFB Hoedspruit honours its loyal members

AFB Makhado received second position, while SAAF Gymnasium came third.

The following teams participated in the championship: Air Force Base (AFB) Langebaanweg, AFB Makhado, AFB Waterkloof, South African Air Force Headquarters, 10 Air Deport (AD), South African Air Force Gymnasium and Air Force Base Hoedspruit (Host Team).

According to Warrant Officer Paulo Origa (Chess Chairperson and Coordinator in the South African Air Force), the history of chess goes back almost 1500 years ago.

The game originated in Northern India in the 6th century AD and spread to Persia.

When the Arabs conquered Persia, chess was taken up by the Muslim World and subsequently, through Moorish conquest of Spain spread to Southern Europe.

Many countries including China claim to have invented the chess game in some incipient form, he said.

The individual awards were given to the following winners: Best overall lady winner: Lindokuhle Makhanya (AFB Waterkloof) and the Best overall player champion for 2017 was awarded to Corporal Pfarelo Moeti (AFB Makhado) who scored full six points in all six games.

He was awarded a chess manual board and a chess sets.

The chess game playing provides a model task environment for the study of basic cognitive processes, such as perception, memory and problem solving.

It also offers a unique opportunity for the study of individual differences (chess expertise).

Chess has also enjoyed a privileged position in artificial intelligence research as a model domain for exploring search and evaluation processes.

Origa added that he was happy with the attendance and performance of teams throughout the championship, though his expectation was to see all eight teams attending.

At least seven teams attended, while the other team failed due to players writing exams or attending medical appointment.

Among the 26 players who came, three were ladies: (one from 10 AD and two from AFB Wklf).

WO2 Paulo Origa is a professional chess coach whose record speaks volume of his calibre.

He has for the past years coached a team from Centurion (Thaba Tswane), Educators from Phalaborwa, Hoedspruit and many more.

He urged Officers Commanding and Section heads throughout the SAAF to support the initiative of Chief of the SA Air Force (Lt Gen Fabian Zakes Msimang) and the vision of the Chairperson of the SAAF Spousal Forum mama Africa Msimang to have the chess clubs and team representing the SAAF colours in the SANDF and CISMS championship.

Each Base and Unit of the SAAF are expected to start a chess club that will represent their Base or Unit.

In order to enjoy the game, players must be disciplined, exercise regularly, eat healthy food, and remain focused, he said.