Expertly guided hands earn unbeatable positions by plotting masterful moves.
Mzansi Chess Academy proved their mental might against the province’s junior chess elite on November 12. Hosted by Powerhouse Chess, the Weltevreden Park-based chess club travelled to the Leonardo in Sandton to compete in the primary school section of Gauteng Chess Clubs Championships. Giving players a small taste of excellence, the tournament featured special guest GrandMaster Sahaj Grover who participated in a simultaneous exhibition challenge.
Founded as recently as September 2021, Mzansi Chess Academy is already establishing their dominance in chess circles. At the Sandton event, they entered two teams with both going through the Swiss format competition unbeaten to finish in first and second place, respectively. The B team registered four wins and two draws while the A team notched up five wins and one draw, that single blemish coming against their fellow Mzansi club mates.
In addition to the teams that left Sandton unconquered, two of Mzansi’s players have been spreading the club’s name on the national and international stage. Already sending a marker out for the future, U8 Daniel Badenhorst was crowned national champion in April and fellow U8 Kairaav Thorulsley earned a bronze medal at the African championships held in Zambia in July.
Mzansi Chess Academy is headed by seasoned player and coach, Matthew Jonker. Having attended his first national championships aged just nine, the now 35-year-old former junior national champion has been a provincial coach since 2007 and has served as an executive committee member and head coach of Johannesburg Metropolitan Chess since 2018. Matthew is also a FIDE, the French acronym for the International Chess Federation, registered instructor giving him the tools to groom master strategists.
The club itself has just received their FIDE accreditation and is welcoming new blood of any skill level to be part of their growing campaign to be the number one force in South African chess.
Offering online and in person coaching, the club is on the hunt for new talent and Matthew is determined in his ambitions stating clearly, “Our goal is to continue to spread the love of the game of chess. We are here help to grow and elevate chess in the country to great heights”.
