South Africa’s brightest young minds will descended on Gauteng from Friday December 16, for the 2016 South African Junior Chess Championships (SAJCC) – the largest junior sporting event of any sporting code in South Africa, will be held at Birchwood Conference Centre in Boksburg.
The event will involve more than 2 300 participants, between the ages of six and 19 years; from across South Africa. The team competition runs from December16 to 19, followed by an individuals tournament from December 20 to 23.
Approximately 260 teams from 52 districts representing all nine provinces, will be on hand in an epic battle to outsmart each other for the title of national champion, in their age group.
“It’s encouraging that a large number of young chess players from across the country and from all walks of life, are participating in the SAJCC this year. We’re very privileged to have a high standard of competition; and many of these kids will compete internationally,” said Chess SA President Eldo Smart.
In addition to the chess players, more than 400 officials, team managers and other organisers are involved in the tournament. The Chief Arbiter for the tournament is Adv Ronald King, an accredited World Chess Federation (FIDE) arbiter and since 2015, also an International Chess arbiter. Arbiters are responsible for ensuring the rules and laws of chess are adhered to.
Among the players to look out for at the championships are:
Jesse February: SA junior champion 2015 and winner of two international titles in 2016.
Inge Marx: Winner of the African Youth Championships 2016; third at the African Individuals 2016 and winner of two international titles in 2016.
Roland Bezuidenhout: gold medalist at the Commonwealth Championship 2016.
Aarti Datharam: winner of the u.10 section of the African Youth Championships 2016, winning nine out of nine games.
The team event culminates on December 19 with a prize giving ceremony taking place at 15:00.
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