Emalahleni Chess Academy hosted another successful open chess tournament

The Emalahleni Chess Academy hosted another successful open chess tournament.

The Emalahleni Winter Open 2023 was levels above all other chess events in the province.

The tournament was held on Saturday, August 5 at the Lynnville Hall.

The organisers of the tournament believe that eMalahleni continues to raise the bar for tournaments in terms of attracting high-calibre players.

The Winter Open had two sections, one specifically for players under the age of 18 (junior section) and the other for all players of all age groups and strengths (the open section).

The junior section attracted players from various chess clubs in Mpumalanga which included Jumping Knights Chess Club, No Chess No Life Chess Club and Woza nabangani bakho Chess Academy.

Some players were representing their school’s clubs, like Highveld Park High, Witbank High, St Thomas Aquinas School, Bankfontein Combined, CR Swart, Sunrise View and many more.

The junior section overall winner was Samkelo Mtshweni from Highveld Park High.

He finished with a score of 5.5 points out of 6, he was followed by Bavuseni Ngwenya from Witbank High in second place and Joseph Mabena from Jumping Knights Chess Club both finishing with a score of 5 points out of 6.

The junior section also recognised the best age group performers for U13, U15 and U18.

The best U13 player was Tumelo Twala from Jumping Knights Chess Club, the best U15 player was Siyanda Skosana from Highveld Park High and the best U18 player was Samkelo Mtshweni.

All the best players received cash incentives for their age groups.

The top three players of each age group were also awarded medals and certificates

The open section was the toughest it has ever been in Mpumalanga.

There were three Chess Masters and a Master-elect competing in the section with many other higher-rated chess players.

It is not in every event that can attract titled players to participate and the organisers were fortunate enough to have an International Chess Master, two Fide Chess Masters and a Fide Master elect to join to showcase their skills.

The biggest highlights of the day were the games between the International Master (IM) Johannes Mabusela against Fide Master Elect Michael Simpson, which was full of strategic twists and turns keeping spectators at the edge of their seats with hearts pounding with uncertainty.

At one point, the IM had the FM’s (elect) queen completely trapped in the woods with no easy way out, but young Simpson (16) found a spectacular knight sacrifice and managed to force a draw against the much-experienced IM.

Another game that had so many brilliant moves featured Master Simpson against Mpumalanga’s highest-rated player in history, 2019 Mpumalanga Sports Star of the Year, Fide Master (FM) Banele Mhango.

Although the game ended in a draw just like all games should with perfect play, it did not lack tactical brilliance and creativity from both players.

It proved that indeed, chess is both scientific and artistic. The games were both streamed live on the Chess and Wine YouTube channel for subscribers to view across South Africa,” noted Fortune Macassa president of Emalahleni Chess Academy (ECA).

The winner of this section was Malawian number 1 player, Fide Master Joseph Mwale the champion for the Emalahleni Winter Open 2023.

FM Mwale won with a clear lead of 5.5 points out of 6 and was followed by four players all finishing with 5 points out of 6. They are, Moagaesi Tshepo from Botswana, Mazhuwa Ronald, Simpson Michael and FM Mhango Banele.

The best lady prize for the section was won by Lindokuhle Bhila who scored 3 wins out of 6 games.

“The event was such a success and the leadership of Emalahleni Chess Academy (ECA) would like to thank all participants for their love and support. We would also like to invite potential sponsors to get in touch with the president of ECA on how they can support ensuring that we increase the frequency of such big events as they are beneficial to the community of Emalahleni and Mpumalanga. It is events like these that propel development forward and force players to improve their skill while also inspiring the youth to take up chess,” added Macassa.

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