AVID chess player and Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School learner, Karmishta Moodley, has had a stellar 2019. The Grade 10 learner recently played two tournaments in the July holidays, the South Africa Chess Open and the South African Schools Chess Championships, both of which were held in Kimberley.
While she did very well in the SA Open, improving her rating considerably, she won the U17 girls category in the SA Schools Championships.
What is more she was the highest rated girl in the category and successfully defended her position by winning all seven of her games. The win means the talented Somerset Park resident is now eligible to represent SA Schools in the World Schools Individual Chess Championships taking place in Lima, Peru next year.
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Moodley was the only learner from a Durban North school to make up the U17 girls team.
“I was very pleased with the results of the two tournaments in Kimberley, I had worked hard on doing well and improving my rating. Being chosen for the SA Schools team is incredibly exciting and I’m looking forward to next year’s challenge. It is always an honour and privilege representing your country.
“I haven’t played in this particular tournament before and I think it will be a great opportunity to meet other chess players from around the world and learn from them. I’ve checked out the other girls playing in this tournament and it is a pretty strong field. I’m not sure what to expect but I want to do my best for the SA team and my school, even though we are all going as individuals in the championships,” she said.
Moodley is part of the La Lucia Chess Club which is run by president of Chess KwaZulu-Natal, Erick Takawira.
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