Dr Lyndon Bouah’s reflections on women’s chess event, Western Cape, South-Africa.
Since my last article about women’s chess several women’s events have been held in Cape Town which I am very pleased about. The Western Cape Ladies championships was won by WCM elect Rebecca Selkirk in March. In April Robyn Van Niekerk won the top lady prize at the Steinitz Open, with WIM Denise Bouah coming second and WIM Jesse February and WCM Rebecca Selkirk in joint third.
At the recently held Stellenberg Rapid WIM Denise Bouah won the women’s prize in a tough rapid. Mitchell’s Plain chess club is hosting a Rapid on 1 and 2 June 2019.
There is R25 000 in prize money with R2000 dedicated to a women’s prize. This is remarkable stuff and means that organisers are taking women’s chess seriously which I believe they should. Female players will compete in the open section and will compete for this great prize.
Last week Paarl and La Rochelle Girls High Schools jointly hosted an all-girls championship. The annual girl’s festival involves different sporting codes and includes chess. Schools travelled from all over South Africa to compete in this annual event which rotates across the country.
The winners were Eunice who fielded the two Van Der Walt girls who were unbeaten in their matches.
Source: Dr Lyndon Bouah
