Learners came in numbers for a chess development tournament in Ackerville

Learners from different schools came in their numbers to learn while other came to compete in a chess tournament.

A development chess tournament was organised for beginners and for the seasoned players to compete at Emrabulweni in Ackerville on Saturday, June 4.

According to Fortune Macassa, president of Emalahleni Chess Academy, he said they were planning to have a monthly chess tournament for children from the different schools.

The tournament was attended by 70 children, 20 beginners and 50 advanced players.

“We are aiming to develop chess, taking away children from the streets and to come and do something positive. Playing chess one improves academically and you develop a thinking skill. The youngest child we had was five years old while the oldest was 17 years. The beginners were taught to identify the different chess pieces and movement,” said Macassa.

The youngest player, Omogolo Masilela said he was enjoying playing chess and was looking forward facing any opponent and aims to be the next champion of the game; he is a Grade R learner at Grace Castle Pre-School.

The tournament was won by Bavuseni Ngwenya (16), a Grade 11 learner at Witbank High School, second was Prayer Phillis and third was Thabang Makhubela. The players were awarded with bronze and silver medals.

All the players received medals as a token of appreciation.

The next tournament will be held on July 9 and chess classes are held every Saturday at Emrabulweni in Ackerville and every learner is welcome to attend for free.

Macassa would like to thank Yeye Enterprise, VMS Pro and Emrabulweni for offering the venue for free as well as the players, teachers and the officials for making the tournament a success.

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