Western Cape Chess Association

What a fantastic day of chess at the first-ever CT Metro Schools Chess LSEN Rapid 2026 hosted at Westcliff School of Skills in Bellville! ♟️✨
A huge congratulations to all players who participated with determination, focus and sportsmanship throughout the 5-round rapid tournament.

👏 Thank you to the organisers, arbiters, schools, coaches, parents and supporters who helped make this special event possible.

Here are the top performers from each section:
♟️ U11 Boys
🥇 Jacob Van Der Heyde
🥈 Josef Chumpitaz Avila
🥉 Avukile Mtsila

♟️ U13 Boys
🥇 Conor Watts
🥈 Khoyane Gxogxa
🥉 Kestin Nomdee

♟️ U15 Boys
🥇 Crushion Benjamin
🥈 Sanda Gqoboka
🥉 Christiaan Lotz

♟️ U15 Girls
🥇 Willow Smith
🥈 Zahroh Soeker
🥉 Ellaney Claassens

♟️ U17 Boys
🥇 Jayden Kennis
🥈 Breyton Moos
🥉 Anton De Vos

♟️ U19 Boys
🥇 Ndibonga Johannes
🥈 Zeno America
🥉 Jason Baadjies

🏆 U19 Girls
🥇 Maria Maree
🥈 Colleta Mukarakate
🥉 Zahrah Floris

Every player who took part contributed to a memorable and meaningful event for LSEN chess in the Cape Metro. The future of inclusive chess is growing stronger with every tournament. 💙♟️

InclusiveChess

This past weekend, primary school players from across the Western Cape gathered to compete in the Western Cape Schools Chess Primary School Individual Provincial Championship 2026 - and what a weekend it was.

Six rounds of real chess.
Real pressure.
Real growth.

You faced opponents you didn't know, sat across boards that tested everything you had prepared, and made decisions that only you could make in those moments.
That takes courage.

Whether you won your games or fought through tough losses, you did something most people never do - you competed. You put your preparation on the line and gave it your best.

Some of you are going home with medals around your necks. All of you are going home better than you arrived.

Hold onto what this weekend taught you - the nerves, the focus, the comebacks. That is the stuff that builds champions.

We'll be watching to see what you do next ♟️🔥

The Western Cape Schools Chess Primary School Individual Provincial Championship 2026 took place over two days at Gansbaai Primary School in Gansbaai, bringing together top young players from every region across the province.

Six rounds. Long days. Big moments. From the first round on Saturday morning to the final games on Sunday, players competed with focus, courage and determination. Across every section, the fighting spirit and passion for the game were clear to see.

A big thank you to everyone who made this event possible 👏 Organisers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes 👏 Arbiters and officials who ensured fair play throughout 👏 Coaches, teachers and parents who supported and prepared their players 👏 Overberg, Gansbaai and Gansbaai Primary School for hosting the championship and welcoming the chess community
Events like these are about more than results. They create opportunities, build confidence, develop young minds and continue growing school chess across the Western Cape. ♟️✨

A special weekend filled with talent, learning and unforgettable moments.
We keep building.

Cashlin Mackina in Settlers Newspaper !

A big congratulations to all players who competed in the Western Cape Schools Chess Championship 2026. The level was high, the competition was tough, and the results reflect it.

🔥 U15 Boys
🥇 Micah Fredericks
🥈 Shaurya Singh
🥉 Chase Salimu

🔥 U15 Girls
🥇 Imkhita Joya
🥈 Mila Marie Snyman
🥉 Sophia Hagan

🔥 U18 Boys
🥇 Jadrian Lielieveld
🥈 Werne Potgieter
🥉 Malesela Moja

🔥 U18 Girls
🥇 Athule Makhasi
🥈 Bianca Hagan
🥉 Emily Grove

🔥 U20 Boys
🥇 Johannes du Toit Terblanche
🥈 Daniel Erasmus
🥉 Anthen Pienaar

A strong showing across all regions — competitive, disciplined, and high-level chess throughout.
Well played to all participants 👏♟️

🎉 Welcome to the Team, Kim!

The Western Cape Chess Association is proud to introduce Kim Meissenheimer as our Marketing & Communications Officer.

Kim is the voice behind our social media platforms and the driving force ensuring that the great work happening across our province gets the recognition it deserves.

Got news from your club or region? An upcoming event you want promoted? A result worth celebrating?

📩 Reach out to Kim at [email protected]
Welcome aboard, Kim — we are excited to have you with us!
♟️ Western Cape Chess Association

♟️ To every player who competed... Over the past weekend, you sat down at the Western Cape Schools Chess High School Individual Provincial Championship 2026 at Carpe Diem High School in George and tested yourself against some of the best players in the province.

Six rounds.
Long hours.
No easy games.

Every move you played was earned. Every result came from effort, preparation and decisions made under pressure.

You represented your region, your school and your work leading up to this moment.
Some of you leave with medals.
Others leave with lessons.
Both matter.

Because what you experienced here is what real competition looks like
managing nerves before a round
staying composed in difficult positions
fighting through setbacks
This is how players grow.

Take what you learned this weekend and build on it. That is where the real value is.
We’ll see who comes back stronger next time ♟️🔥

The Western Cape Schools Chess High School Individual Provincial Championship 2026 took place over two days at Carpe Diem High School in George, bringing together top players from each region.

Six rounds. Long days. Real competition.
From the first move on Saturday morning to the final round on Sunday, the standard was high and the intent was clear. Players showed focus, discipline and the ability to compete under pressure.

A big thank you to everyone who made this event possible
👏 Organisers who kept everything running smoothly
👏 Arbiters and officials who ensured fair play
👏 Coaches and regional teams who prepared their players
👏 Eden and the George region for hosting and providing the venue

These events are built by people who care deeply about the game and the players. ♟️✨ A weekend worth reflecting on.

We keep building.