Two hundred and twelve chess players signed up to be part of the chess tournament in honour of Johannes Wagner.
The event, hosted by the Springs Chess Club in partnership with Ekurhuleni Chess, was held at the NG Kerk in Geduld.
Co-founder and president of the Springs Chess Club, Schalk Pienaar, says they have lost a pivotal member of sport regionally.
“Started getting sick last November and passed away in January.”
Wagner, started the Springs Chess Club with Pienaar and served in the Ekurhuleni executive committee for chess.
He also won the best technical manager award for D5 district last year.
“In his business, he built chess boards for kids.
He was just all round a great guy and great asset to our community.
No one is more deserving.
And that is why we are hosting this tournament in his honour,” explains Pienaar.
He says the organisation is overwhelmed by the number of people who showed up.
President of Ekurhuleni Chess Andre Smit says Wagner will be dearly missed.
“His contribution to school chess is immeasurable.
He was willing to go the extra mile to ensure maximum participation from the children.”
The competition was separated into four sections.
A section is made up of top players.
First prize went to Mfundo Masiya winning R1 500 with second prize going to Brighton Mthunzi.
The third was Tshepo Tshetlo and the Best Junior for Section A went to Devon Smit.
Section B was to ages 15 and older.
Case Komane won the R1 000 cash prize,with Koketso Mathebe coming in second,and Lucky Mohlala third.
Best Girl in Section B went to Janka De Beer.
Section C consists of under 14 players only.
Aaron Francis took first place, with a R600 cash prise.
Second was Khwezi Zwane and third place was Ngaakudzwe Zingoni.
Best Girl in Section C is Hayley Nel.
Section D is the players under the age of eight.
First place is Zac Pillay, who also took home the R300 cash prize.
Second is Rouve Janse Van Rensburg and third is Allan Gibbens.
Best girl in Section D is Saffron Lovett.
