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Charterhouse learners participated in the South African Junior Chess Champions (SAJCC) held at Birchwood Hotel from 3 to 12 January.
Kupa Chinoruma was part of the Johannesburg Metro Chess (JMC) U/8A team that clinched a gold medal in their section.
She achieved 4.5/7 points against some good opposition and played the longest game in the U/8 section, a game that lasted just over three hours.
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Tawana Chinoruma was part of the JMC U/12A team that clinched the bronze medal. She achieved 5/7 points against some strong opposition in her section.
Her win in the last run helped JMC fend off Ethekwini to clinch the bronze medal in a tense finish to the tournament.
Tawana was also selected to play against the visiting International Grand Master, Levon Aronian, ranked sixth in the word, in a simultaneous exhibition with 107 other players. She managed to obtain a draw in their game. “This was a great experience,” Tawana commented.
The third Charterhouse chess champ, Zion Smith was selected for the Johannesburg Metro U/10B chess team.
Zion was excellent and his team remained unbeaten at the SAJCC, and won the U/10B section.
He has also won a board prize trophy for best fourth board player with the highest results.
His team was very strong, comprising A team quality players and they managed to win by 12.5 points. This is a big lead, considering that only half a point separated Tshwane and Western Province, which came second and third respectively.
One of Zion’s games was more than two hours long, but he showed grit and determination and claimed his victory.