Chess tourney draws players from afar
Ralph Cloete, Mossel Bay Chess Club, writes:
During the Sports and Recreation Festival, the Mossel Bay Chess Club hosted a successful Open Chess Tournament at the Garden Route Casino.
This tournament, which is becoming one of the star attractions on the Eden chess calendar, attracted chess players from as far as Port Elizabeth, Upington and Worcester. The tournament was divided into two divisions, an A-section for senior players and the B-section for the juniors.
Among the many youngsters who participated in this year’s competition, Marvin Kiewiet won the B-Section with 5.5 points out of six, followed closely by Arno du Plessis and Cailynn Jones in third place, with both having five points.
The final positions were determined through the use of a tiebreak system, based on the individual strengths of the opponents.
After tense competition over the two days in the A-section, Bertram Madatt from Port Elizabeth, who scored 5.5 points, walked off with the first prize, followed by Deon Pick from Worcester, with five points in second place and Mossel Bay’s very own Ralph Cloete, who scored 4.5 points, in third place. In addition to being an active player, Ralph, who is chairman of the Mossel Bay Chess Club, also served as tournament organiser.
The Mossel Bay Chess Club thanks everybody who assisted and ensured the event was a success.
In particular, we would like to thank De Jagers clothing store, Mossel Bay Municipality, the Garden Route Casino and Eden Chess Union officials: Mr and Mrs George Swart and Mr Hans Ottervanger. Mr Swart was the chief arbiter for the tournament and he was ably assisted in his duties by his wife, Annemarie Swart, and Mr Ottervanger.
The Mossel Bay Chess Club intends to grow this tournament even bigger in the future, and in addition, wants to host more regular tournaments which will greatly assist in the growth of this popular and mentally stimulating sport in Mossel Bay specifically, and in the region generally. Please watch your local press for information in this regard.
Anybody who would like to find out more about the club is free to contact Ralph Cloete (083 215 6241) and HJ Willemse (079 452 1300) or email mosselbaychess@ gmail.com or leave a comment on the Mossel Bay Chess Club facebook page.