On Saturday, 26 September, 18 local chess players assembled in the Rhodes Great Hall to contest this year’s Rhodes Open Chess Tournament.
On Saturday, 26 September, 18 local chess players assembled in the Rhodes Great Hall to contest this year’s Rhodes Open Chess Tournament.
For the first time ever, the tournament included a number of local high school players who are part of the Rhodes Chess development programme. The tournament, played over five rounds was won by Rhodes number 1 player, Khanya Qabaka, who led from start to finish and was never thrown by the opposition.
Qabaka finished on 4.5 points. The contest for second and third place proved much more difficult with numerous unexpected results. Ross Adams finished strongly in second place on 4 points. Bongane Ntimane and Gareth Dwyer shared third and fourth places on 3.5 points. Sophia Amankwaa, on 3 points won the prize for the best lady.
Two special prizes of movie tickets, which were kindly donated by Roxbury Cinema were awarded to the best development players.
Rhodes coach Andrew Martin directed the tournament, which was played in a relaxed yet competitive manner- a testimony to the fact that chess is on the up and up in Grahamstown.
