The Rhodes University chess team, consisting of five men and five women, travelled to NMMU to participate in the annual Inter-varsity chess tournament on Saturday 17 August.
The Rhodes University chess team, consisting of five men and five women, travelled to NMMU to participate in the annual Inter-varsity chess tournament on Saturday 17 August.
The Rhodes team was made up of Gareth Dwyer, Simba Onward Gotora, Abram Mphahlele, Ngonie Faya, Langa Ngwenya, Eunice Vhiriri, Alisa Lochner, Mihlali Mbunge, Yamkela Yase and Mmiki Thinane.
In Round One Rhodes trounced Walter Sisulu University 9-1, the Rhodes women all winning their games. The more fancied teams of NMMU and Fort Hare saw Fort Hare narrowly defeating NMMU by 5.5-4.5 points. In the second round Rhodes scored a rare victory in beating Fort Hare 6-4. That too was bolstered by four wins by the women. NMMU defeated WSU by a modest 6.5-3.5 points.
In the final round, Rhodes faced NMMU. From the outset Rhodes needed to score more than five points to ensure an outright victory. NMMU needed seven points or more and Fort Hare could also win with a big victory over WSU. WSU managed to take four points off Fort Hare, thus denying them winning opportunities.
With eight games finished, NMMU led 5-3 against Rhodes and it looked like Rhodes would succumb to NMMU on the points table once again.
However, Rhodes player Abram Mphahlele showed some mettle, forcing a draw despite being significant material down. This half-point ensured a Rhodes victory by the narrowest possible margin. Mihlali Mbunge top-scored for Rhodes winning all three of her games.
“It was an absolute pleasure to witness Rhodes's long-awaited triumph in this event. It was truly a team effort and testimony to all the tireless efforts that the club president, Gareth Dwyer and secretary Alisa Lochner have put in to make this year’s chess club our best organised club in many years," said Andrew Martin of the Rhodes chess club.
"The matches were played in a very good spirit, and NMMU must be thanked for their superb management of the event.”
Final Scores:
- Rhodes 18.5 points
- NMMU 17.5 points
- Fort Hare 15.5 points
- WSU 8.5 points
