Kwazulu-natal chess champs bring home gold
TWO KZN pupils excelled at the South African Junior Chess Championships in Benoni last week.
Jorah Soojay competed in the U16 category, and Kaylee Grace Budhram competed in the U12 category.
The South African Junior Chess Championships (SAJCC) is where the best players in the country get together to play in their categories to qualify for international competitions.
Jorah Soojay, 15, started playing chess at eight after being inspired by a friend. He is in Grade 10 at Ashton International College in Ballito.
Before competing in the SAJCC, Soojay competed at numerous international events, such as the U16 Olympiad in the Netherlands and Azerbaijan, the World Youth Chess Championship in Romania, the World Cadets Rapid and Blitz tournament in Greece, the World Schools Chess Tournament and the Commonwealth Games in India.
He said the U16 SAJCC had a total of nine rounds – he won six games and drew three. “I was the only one to be undefeated in my section and finished with 7.5/9 taking home the first prize,” he said.
Getting himself ready for a match is no easy feat. “To mentally prepare
myself I would make sure to stay calm, and pray before all my matches. I always believe in myself and go into my games confidently.”
Soojay will be playing at the African Youth Chess Championships in the country and then he will compete in other overseas tournaments in Uzbekistan and Brazil.
“My biggest supporters are my parents, family and friends. They always want me to be the best version of myself and live to my true potential,” he said.
Soojay is a few points away from receiving his Candidate Master title (he currently holds a provisional title).
His brother, Josiah Soojay, 9, is following closely behind. Josiah received his South African Colours for chess at the age of six. He recently played the ethekwini Trials and secured first position and the Kwadukuza CMC Trials and finished off with a full score, earning first position and qualifying for the mayoral cup. Josiah placed ninth in the U10 SAJCC, allowing him to be selected for the African Youth Chess Championships and Chess Commonwealth.
Kaylee Grace Budhram, 11, a Grade 7 pupil at Hopeville Primary School in Phoenix, started playing chess when she was seven years old.
Budhram got into chess because of her shy personality, happy that the game requires low contact with others.
“I came across the game of chess and found that you don't need lots of people and you don't need to speak, but your move on the board can do powerful things. I felt myself drawn to this game,” said Budhram.
Six months after learning the game, she played in Namibia at the African Youth Chess Championship, in 2019, and placed second in the continent.
“I went on to win the title of Woman Candidate Master in Chess. I played at the African Schools Individual Chess Championship where I tied for first place in Kenya. Being able to compete and win at the South African Junior Chess Championship, the most auspicious chess tournament in South Africa, is only the best feeling. Especially since you have to be invited to compete,” said Budhram.
Chess SA monitors the players for a year before they are invited to compete. Budhram said she worked hard and continues to work hard to further her chess skills.
“I worked really hard to get here. Whilst most kids rest on the weekends, I spend hours on chess preparations and games, and I received my reward. I am now the national champion.
“I separated myself from social activities and gave up my phone. Focus is put into practising puzzles and playing chess games. However, school is my priority; time management is key to completing all my tasks successfully. My win shows my dedication; I played nine rounds and I never lost any of my games.”
Bhudram is now qualified to represent SA at the Commonwealth and World Cadets.
“My story will show others to never give up on your dreams. People always assume that I am shy or quiet and they underestimate me, but I am happy to share my knowledge and talent. I freely assist and guide learners at my school and at various schools and libraries in the community.
“Chess has many benefits. It’s not just a game, and I believe that chess can be used by the schools to help improve learners’ academics and behaviour but because our community does not have funds or resources, our learners may be losing out on opportunities, and I want to help them,” she added.