CHESS

ELDO Smart , President of Chess South Africa, died on Tuesday afternoon after a heart attack.

The DG of Sport in the Western Cape, Dr Lyndon Bouah writes: “I have known Eldo since 1991 when we were introduced by mutual friends. He was at school and I was in first year at university. He later joined me at university where he formed a formidable team. He achieved university colours and represented WP universities and UWC at various events across the country.

“Eldo was a leader from university days and he led the UWC and WP teams between 1996 and 1997. Eldo played for the Belhar Knights Chess Club his whole life except for his university period. He was a stalwart at the club and held various positions. He enjoyed his chess and was au fait with the Marshall attack and the Grunfeld as his favourite weapons. In 2001 he beat a strong Gauteng player with the Marshall and when he said Eldo must be in the WP team Eldo dead-panned and said he was not strong enough.

“Eldo obtained his WP colours when he represented the B team at various interprovincials held in Bloemfontein and elsewhere. The two of us travelled the roads of South Africa together and discussed chess matters. He was a fierce competitor and was the captain of the WP B team.

“In 2010 Eldo became president of Chess WP and led the discussions around unity in WP chess. He successfully integrated all chess clubs and communities and was later chosen in 2013 as Chessa vice president. In June 2014 he became acting Chessa president and in January 2015 he was elected president and in January 2016 was re-elected.

“We salute his leadership and thank his family for his service to the game. We think of his parents and his sister and family and his friends at this time.”

South African men and women are playing in a Fidé Zonal event at the Warm Harbor Hotel in Livingstone, Zambia. The tournament, not a team event) ends today.

From round 4: White: Kenny Solomon —Black: Richmond Phiri: 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 d5 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Ne5 c6 10. e4 Na6 11. exd5 cxd5 12. Bf4 Nc7 13. Rc1 Ne6 14. Be3 Re8 15. Qa4 Bd6 16. Rfd1 Bb8 17. Re1 a6 18. Qb3 Ba7 19. Rcd1 Rc8 20. a4 Qd6 21. Rc1 b5 22. Qd1 b4 23. Na2 a5 24. Rxc8 Bxc8 25. Nc1 Bb6 26. Bf1 h6 27. Nb3 Ng5 28. Bxg5 hxg5 29. Bb5 Re7 30. Qc1 Bf5 31. Nc6 Re4 32. f3 Rxe1+ 33. Qxe1 Bc2 34. Nbxa5 g4 35. f4 Be4 36. Nb3 Bc2 37. a5 Ba7 38. a6 Bb6 39. Na1 Bd3 40. a7 Bxa7 41. Qe5 Bxd4+ 42. Nxd4 Qxe5 43. fxe5 Bxb5 44. exf6 resigns.