Young and old make all the right moves
FRIENDS of the Library and the Rylands Library held their bi-annual chess tournament yesterday.
The co-ordinators and participants were wowed by Amahle Zenzile, 10, from Crossroads Chess Club, who competed against experienced Stephen Galleid as training for the SA Chess Championships.
Thando Hlakula, Amahle’s coach, said he put her in the advanced category. The tournament had three categories: beginner, intermediate and advanced.
“Our team, which includes Amahle, will soon go to Johannesburg for the 2018 South African Chess Championship. I wanted Amahle to be fit for the game,” Hlakula said.
Galleid, 65, said he started playing chess at 12 years old.
“I am very excited. It is like a dream come true for me, I encourage young stars to join chess clubs for their intelligence,” Galleid said.
Friends of the Library chairperson Abdul Hakeem Syed said their goal had been to provide a platform for the disadvantaged children to integrate with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
“We are using chess as a tool to hone their logical skills in a healthy atmosphere, so that they can stay off the streets and have some clean fun too,” Syed said.
“Food and certificates are given to all participants. We have been very successful in our efforts so far and have been growing with every event.
“Our vision is to bring diverse communities together so that they can get to know one another. But despite our manpower, resources and passion to contribute positively, we are struggling to make a bigger impact on the community, due to lack of exposure,” he added.
We are using chess as a tool to hone their logical skills in a healthy atmosphere Abdul Hakeem Syed
Friends of the Library chairperson