Inaugural event a success

According to Chess South Africa, the African Youth Chess Championship held in Rochester House, Salt River, Cape Town, South Africa closed on a high note yesterday, 9 July 2009 as a triumphant success. The inaugural competition featured a total of nine countries playing in a Round Robin System.

Ten players from South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria have each as victors qualified for the 2009 World Youth Chess Championship to be held in Turkey from 11 – 23 November 2009.

The tournament saw players from South Africa and Egypt dominate the board. Winners in each age group; four South African girls and two boys have respectively earned themselves FIDE titles, Women Fide Master and the Fide Master titles.

“Our players demonstrated resilience and discipline in their command of the game against world class players. We are proud of all our young players and look forward to sending them off to Turkey,” says Emellia Ellapen, President of Chessa.

The tournament was hosted by Chessa and sponsored by FIDE, City of Cape Town, Mazars Moores Rowland (Cape Town) and the National Lotto.

“This is a clear indication that African players are passionate and ready to play on world stage, the international recognition will prove to the world that Africa is a continent deserving of acknowledgement,” concluded Dabilani Buthali, President of African Chess Union.

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar