Knysna chess champions crowned
20 May 2021
The Knysna initiative for Learning and Teaching (KILT) collaborated with the Western Cape Education Department Safe Schools Programme and the South African Police Services to deliver the 2021 Knysna High Schools’ chess tournament.
The three-day tournament ended on a high note with participants representing their schools with energy and passion through the game of chess. Learners from four high schools in Knysna competed against each other. The finals took place at Percy Mdala High School.
Nine-year-old Eugeniel Jacobs, a learner at Fraaisig Primary, was the only primary school learner at the tournament. He was specially invited because of his chess skills and he did not disappoint. He came out tops by winning six out of seven games with a total of 39 points.
Anoxolo Nkangune, a Grade 12 learner at Concordia High School, was in second place. He played a total of seven games and won six with a total of 29 points. Rutendo Mabgwe, a 16-year-old Grade 11 learner at Knysna High School, finished in third place with a total of 21 and a half points.
The planning team and support staff worked extremely hard to implement social distancing protocols and to make sure that everyone was safe and could enjoy the tournament.
“On behalf of the Circuit 4 and Proactive Principals, I would like to thank KILT, WCED Safe Schools and School Enrichment Programme, SAPS and Terry Quirk for organising and sponsoring the first tournament of this kind during the autumn vacation. 2020/21 was an incredibly challenging period particularly for sporting activities. This programme was instrumental in ensuring learners are kept occupied in a different way to contact sport,” said Nicholas Njozela, Principal of Percy Mdala High School.
Sandy Ueckermann, Managing Director at KILT, said the main goal for the holiday chess collaboration programme was to keep as many learners occupied while developing their skills in the game of chess to avoid passiveness, negative activities and Influence amongst many. “We want to develop the game of chess in Knysna schools and create a system that allows schools to interact regionally. The tournament aims to grow talented young players by showing them a new avenue and promote critical thinking and sharpen IQ in our learners.”
