Commonwealth and South African Open Chess Championships in July
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Here is some chess tournament news for all those looking to have some fun in South Africa. This year’s Commonwealth Open Chess Championship, the South African Open Chess Championship, the Nelson Mandela Bay Open Chess Championship and the South African Open Blitz chess Championship are all scheduled a few months from now.
These Championships will be held at The Boardwalk Hotel, Convention Centre and Spa in the city of Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa from 5th July 2013 to 14th July 2013. The Championship and B-section will be run over 11 rounds, while the SA Blitz Championships will be run under the FIDE Laws of Blitz Chess over 9 rounds. The rate of play for the Championship and B sections will be 90 minutes for the first 40 moves followed by an additional 30 minutes per player added from move 40 with the addition of 30 seconds per move from move 1.
The rate of play for the Blitz Championships will be 3 minutes per player with an increment of 2 seconds per move from move one. The prize fund will amount to 250 000 rand (approx. 27 000 USD). The overall winner will receive R40 000 in cash plus a 7 night holiday vacation at a private game reserve situated in the Eastern Cape. 2nd – R33 000; 3rd – R24 000; 4th – R17 000; 5th – R13 000, etc.
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Labels: africa chess, commonwealth chess, the boardwalk
Chess helping Kids improve School Results in South Africa
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Here is an article based on the Moves for Life chess experiments and training with children in Africa.
"Two years ago, a chess trust was established in Pretoria to bring chess to children across the country. The programme is called Moves for Life (MFL), and I am one of the MFL trustees. The project has spread steadily and we are now proud of the fact that 20 000 children attend our weekly chess classes. We have trained over 300 teachers, and now have chess in schools from Richards Bay to Nkandla, Cape Town, Pretoria, Midrand, Hotazel, Balfour and more. This programme comprises components that address the needs of children, covering the entire spectrum from preschool to matric," says Dr Kemm, a nuclear physicist, CEO of Stratek Business Strategy Consultants.
Read more »Labels: africa chess, chess children, Moves for Life
Chess on TV in Africa!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012Hi everyone,
African Chess Lounge (ACL) recently held a successful qualifier which was publicised on their TV show. They are talking about taking fast-paced chess on to television. Reuben Salimu is the pioneer leading the South African initiative and is located in Western Cape province. The first qualifier was won by Henry Steel over Don Van derHeever on tiebreaks and he will face on an upcoming TV show at ACL.
A press release states African Chess Lounge, as its main objective and steering, would like to create awareness and spin-off interests in the game of chess. Viewers will be entertained through speed chess, a fast paced production with intense fighting in the qualification rounds. Time is always a factor in chess… so expect a lot of upsets an ‘edge of your seat” moments.
The overall objective of the TV is to elevate the game of chess to the greater South African youth by using this medium to teach young children how to play the game of chess. Chess as a sport has been historically linked to the great minds in mathematics, analytics, strategic thinking and much more. The inclusion of a mental sport to enhance the mathematical and numerical competencies of young minds with the technological advancements of media and communication is a natural progression for the sport.
"We will use the digital and communication platforms to increase awareness, reach and educate the population of South Africans who are looking toward international organisations for their guidance… we aim to bring them home and create a message of trust in abilities of fellow South Africans an in so doing, create South African heroes," states their website: www.africanchesslounge.com.
Labels: africa chess, africa chess lounge, Chess TV
Some chess news updates from Africa
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012Hi everyone,
Here is some quick chess news update from Africa. In one of the most dramatic chess afternoons, Sicilian Simbas managed to overcome a plucky Nairobi Chess Academy team during the penultimate match of the 2012 Nairobi Chess League at the Goan Gymkhana over the weekend. The stage was set for a major upset when 11-year-old Kais Mussa of Nairobi Chess Academy defeated rising star Njuru Mwangi of Sicilian Simbas on Board 3.
Sicilian Simbas held their nerves to overcome NCA 3-1 and then overcame fast improving Kenyatta University in the last round with a 3-1 score to win the overall title with 7.5 match points. In second place were Lion Kings with 7 points and Mating Zombies with 5.5 points. The eventual winner will take home a cash prize of Sh15,000. Second place will be worth Sh8,000 while Sh5,000 will be the third place reward. This year’s event attracted a total of 16 teams and was the third edition of this annual event which attracted some of the best players in Kenya. The event was partly sponsored by Farmers Choice Ltd who donated product vouchers.
Don't miss the names of the teams in the league!
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Labels: africa chess, kenya chess, nairobi chess academy, sicilian simbas
Chess-loving President Zuma urges the young to take up chess!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011Hello everyone,Here is more chess news from Africa where chess is gaining ground. The annual Presidential Chess tournament was held on the 20th of December 2011 in KwaZulu Natal. The event was organised by Sandile Xulu, in partnership with LoveLife-KZN.
The guest of honour was of course the chess-loving president, His Excellency President Jacob Zuma.
The tournament was organised at the request of the President in order to teach the youth patience and strategic thinking, and to promote recreational activity in rural areas. 60 youths from schools in the Nkandla and neighbouring areas took part in the tournament. The group consisting of players at a learner level varied in age with players as young as 11 to players the age of 21. The tournament also included an open category for members of the public to participate.
President Zuma called on young people to take up the sport of chess as it contributes to the development of strategic thinking which is an important element of life for school going children. More details at Fide.
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Labels: africa chess, president jacob zuma
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