Knight Riders Chess Academy/Club

♟️ HOLIDAY CHESS PROGRAM STARTS TOMORROW! ♟️

Dear Parents,

A quick reminder that our Knight Riders Chess Academy Holiday Chess Program starts tomorrow, Tuesday 11 August 2026, at Steyn City School – The Sports Pavilion. 🏆♟️

Good news — registration is STILL OPEN! 🎉

If you haven’t registered your child yet, there is still an opportunity to join us. Learners do not have to attend all 6 lessons — you can choose the days that work best for your child.

♟️ R250 per lesson
🎯 Improve focus & concentration
🧠 Develop strategic thinking
💪 Build confidence
🤝 Make new friends
🏆 Sharpen their chess skills during the holidays

Dates: 11–13 August & 18–20 August
Times: 10:00–12:00 or 12:00–14:00

📲 WhatsApp Coach Linda: 063 488 3902

Don't let the holidays be a break from chess — let's use them to sharpen the mind and elevate the game! ♟️🔥

Knight Riders Chess Academy
Think. Plan. Move. Conquer.
Beyond The Beautiful Mind 🏆

The Knights Chess Academy Champs were out in full force at the Johannesburg Metro Chess Closed this past weekend!

It was great seeing so many of you there too and hope to see you this Saturday at the Knight Riders Chess Academy/Club Tournament!

Link to register for the Seventh Knight Riders Juniors Open Chess Tournament - 08 August 2026

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSedoHkPvXrkmMqxpNDPygGrVIHb-2Ofk5si52B792nzDceJ8Q/viewform?usp=send_form

Good morning Parents and Guardians 😊

I hope you are all doing well.

Knight Riders Chess Academy is excited to announce our Holiday Chess Program, which will be hosted at Steyn City School during the upcoming school holidays for schools that follow the 3-term academic calendar. We also warmly welcome homeschooled learners, who are invited to join us for this exciting program.

The holiday program is a fantastic opportunity for players to improve their chess, prepare for upcoming tournaments, build confidence, and enjoy learning in a fun, engaging environment. Whether your child is a beginner or an experienced player, everyone is welcome.

📎 Please find attached:
• Holiday Chess Program Brochure – with all the details, including dates, venue, times, fees, and registration information.
• Knight Riders Chess Academy 2026 Affiliation Form – for players who would like to become members of the academy and take part in our coaching programmes, tournaments, and player development opportunities.

We look forward to welcoming both our current players and new families. If you have any questions or would like to register, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

We can't wait to share another enjoyable and productive holiday of chess with your children!

Warm regards,

Coach Linda Makhubela
Founder & Head Coach
Knight Riders Chess Academy
Beyond The Beautiful Mind

Good Luck, Knights! ♞

To all our Knight Riders Chess Academy players competing in the JMC Closed on 1–2 August 2026, this is your moment to shine.

Every game is an opportunity to demonstrate your hard work, discipline, and passion for chess. Play with confidence, think before every move, and never stop fighting for the best result.

Remember, this tournament is a stepping stone towards representing Johannesburg Metro Chess at the Gauteng Inter-Regions. Believe in your preparation, trust your ability, and enjoy the challenge.

Play with courage. Think with purpose. Fight with honour.

We are proud of each one of you. Go make your moves count!

♞ Beyond The Beautiful Mind ♞

🏆 Congratulations to Our Knight Riders Chess Academy Champions! 🏆

Knight Riders Chess Academy proudly congratulates our exceptional players on their outstanding achievements in recent tournaments. Your hard work, discipline, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire us all.

🥇 Daniel – 1st Place at the Johannesburg North District Individual Schools Tournament with a perfect 5/5 score. This remarkable achievement is a true reflection of your determination, focus, and passion for chess.

🥈 Valentina Wong – 2nd Place in the Mzansi Classic Chess Tournament – Junior Section, demonstrating exceptional skill and consistency throughout the competition.

🥈 Benjamin Wong – 2nd Place in the Mzansi Classic Chess Tournament – Under-10 Section, an outstanding performance that reflects your dedication and continued growth.

🥉 Zuko Buthelezi – 3rd Place in the Mzansi Classic Chess Tournament – Under-10 Section, a well-deserved result showcasing your talent and perseverance.

Each of these achievements represents countless hours of preparation, determination, and a commitment to continuous improvement. We are incredibly proud of every one of you and look forward to celebrating many more milestones together.

Keep making us proud, continue believing in yourselves, and keep reaching for greatness. The future is bright!

Congratulations once again, Champions! 🎉♟️🏆

From everyone at Knight Riders Chess Academy – Beyond The Beautiful Mind.

Johannesburg Metro Chess

♟️ Happy International Chess Day! ♟️

Today, we celebrate more than a game. We celebrate a shared language that connects people across ages, cultures, backgrounds and generations.

Chess reminds us that we do not have to be the same to sit across from one another, learn together and show mutual respect. On the chessboard, every player begins with the same pieces and the same opportunity to think, plan, adapt and grow.

At Knight Riders Chess Club, we believe chess develops far more than playing ability. It teaches patience when the next move is not obvious, resilience after a difficult loss, discipline to keep practising and confidence to trust your thinking.
From a child making their first move to an experienced player sharing years of wisdom, everyone has a place at the board.

One game. Billions connected. Chess transcends all barriers.

Here’s to building stronger minds, meaningful connections and future leaders - one thoughtful move at a time.

📞 Call or WhatsApp: 063 488 3902
📧 [email protected]

♟️ KNIGHT RIDERS CHESS ACADEMY – JMC CLUB LEAGUE 2026 ♟️

We are proud to announce that Knight Riders Chess Academy will be participating in the inaugural Johannesburg Metro Chess (JMC) Club League 2026.

The Academy will proudly field both Junior and Senior teams to compete against chess clubs from across Johannesburg in this exciting rated team competition.

League Information:

📅 Duration: 16 August – 8 November 2026

🗓️ Four League Days (August to November)

♟️ 6-board teams

⭐ ChessSA/CHESSA Rated

👦👨 Junior and Senior Divisions

This league presents an excellent opportunity for our players to gain valuable team match experience, improve their ratings, and proudly represent Knight Riders Chess Academy while competing for the 2026 JMC Club League Championship.

Beyond the Beautiful Mind. ♞

We wish all our Junior and Senior players the very best as they prepare for this exciting new chapter in Johannesburg chess. Let's represent the Knight Riders name with pride, discipline, and fighting spirit! 💙♟️

🎉 Congratulations to Benjamin Wong! ♟️

Knight Riders Chess Academy proudly congratulates Benjamin Wong on his outstanding performance at the South African Open Chess Championships held in Cape Town.

Benjamin scored an impressive 4½ points out of 7, competing against a strong field that included mostly highly rated players. His determination, fighting spirit and quality of play throughout the tournament were truly commendable.

Representing our academy with excellence, Benjamin demonstrated resilience, discipline and sportsmanship at one of South Africa's premier chess events. His performance is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the game.

We are incredibly proud of your achievement, Benjamin, and we look forward to seeing you continue to grow and reach even greater heights in your chess journey.

Congratulations once again, Benjamin! Keep making us proud. 👏♟️

Knight Riders Chess Academy
"Changing Lives, One Move at a Time."

♟️Monday Motivation♟️

The bishop was not always the powerful long - range piece we know today. In earlier versions of chess, its movement was more limited, which made the game slower and less dynamic.

But when the bishop’s movement changed, the whole game changed with it.

Suddenly, players had to think across the board, plan from a distance, and understand how one piece could influence spaces far beyond where it stood.

At Knight Riders Chess Academy, we teach young players to think beyond the obvious move, recognise patterns, and develop the confidence to see further.

Because strong players do not only make moves - they learn how to see the game differently.

🇿🇦 South Africa Remains in Contention After Round 4 of the 2026 African Individual Chess Championships

The South African team continues to make a strong impression at the 2026 African Individual Chess Championships in Jwaneng, Botswana, with an exciting blend of experienced senior players and talented juniors competing at the highest level of African chess.

Open Section

🔥 IM Caleb Levitan delivered one of the standout performances of the round, defeating Kenyan Champion FM Jadon Simiyu to move to 3.5/4 and join the leading group. Caleb currently occupies 5th place overall, just half a point behind the tournament leaders.

🤝 FM Raphael Felix held pre-tournament favourite IM David George Samir (Egypt) to a draw. Remaining unbeaten on 3.5/4, Raphael sits in 6th place overall.

🔥 GM Kenny Solomon responded strongly after his previous setback, securing an important victory against IM Odion Aikhoje (Nigeria). The win moves Kenny to 3.5/4 and into 4th place overall.

✅ FM Banele Mhango continued his impressive tournament run, defeating FM Prince Daniel Mulenga (Zambia) to reach 3/4 and climb into the Top 10.

✅ James Dinham also recorded a valuable victory over CM Olisa Tennyson Ewomazino (Nigeria), joining Banele on 3/4.

❌ IM Michael Simpson suffered a loss to IM Chitumbo Mwali (Zambia) and remains on 2/4 after four rounds.

Women's Section

🔥 WFM Chisomo Boshoma produced one of South Africa's most notable results of the round, defeating higher-rated WIM Lina Nassr (Algeria). Chisomo advances to 3/4 and moves into 8th place overall.

🤝 WFM Chloe Badenhorst secured a draw against WFM Ayemou Mazan Emmanuela Esther (Côte d'Ivoire), bringing her score to 2.5/4 and keeping her within reach of the leading pack.

✅ WCM Hayley Nel recorded a valuable victory over WFM Sasha Mongeli (Kenya), improving her score to 2/4.

✅ WIM Anzel Laubscher defeated WFM Natalie Katlo Banda (Botswana) to also reach 2/4.

South African Standings After Round 4

Open Section

♟️ GM Kenny Solomon – 3.5/4 (4th)
♟️ IM Caleb Levitan – 3.5/4 (5th)
♟️ FM Raphael Felix – 3.5/4 (6th)
♟️ FM Banele Mhango – 3/4 (8th)
♟️ James Dinham – 3/4 (9th)
♟️ IM Michael Simpson – 2/4 (28th)

Women's Section

♟️ WFM Chisomo Boshoma – 3/4 (8th)
♟️ WFM Chloe Badenhorst – 2.5/4 (13th)
♟️ WCM Hayley Nel – 2/4 (20th)
♟️ WIM Anzel Laubscher – 2/4 (25th)

With five rounds still to be played, South Africa remains firmly in contention for medals. Three South African players are currently part of the leading group in the Open Section, while WFM Chisomo Boshoma has positioned herself among the top contenders in the Women's Section.

The blend of youth and experience within the South African squad continues to demonstrate the strength and depth of South African chess on the continental stage.

A special mention goes to WFM Chisomo Boshoma, whose outstanding performance continues to make South Africa proud. Chisomo spent numerous years developing her chess skills under the guidance of Coach Linda Makhubela and Knight Riders Chess Academy, where she laid a strong foundation for her growth as a competitive player.

The entire Knight Riders family is immensely proud of her achievements and her representation of South African chess on the continental stage. Her success serves as an inspiration to young players and demonstrates the value of dedication, hard work, and quality coaching.

We wish Chisomo and the entire Team South Africa the very best for the remaining rounds of the African Individual Chess Championships. May they continue to compete with determination, excellence, and pride as they represent our nation.

🇿🇦♟️ Good luck, Chisomo! Good luck, Team South Africa!

Coach Linda Makhubela
Knight Riders Chess Academy
"Committed to making a difference in the chess world." ♟️🇿🇦

Best wishes to Team South Africa for the remaining rounds! 🇿🇦♟️

🇿🇦♟️