Reflections on a Very Busy Last Weekend of April by Dr Lyndon Bouah

July 1, 2019

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This has indeed been a very busy weekend of chess in the Western Cape.

We start in Saldanha in the west Coast

George Loverlot who travelled all the way from Riversdale withstood a strong Steinitz attack with 4.5/5. George who has competed in two SA Closed also plays for MRL in the WP League.

Leatin Booys continues his good form by winning the B section with 5/5. Perhaps he should be moving to the A section!

West Coast Open 2019 A section

West Coast Open 2019 B section

West Coast Open 2019 C section – Top 30

In Cape Town Crossroads Chess club hosted their annual event in Phillippi. The event was won no dominated by IM Watu Kobese. Kobese has won everything he touches in Cape Town this year. He scored an emphatic 6/6 with Reuben Salimu on 4.5 and Craig Willenberg on 3.5. By winning in this impressive fashion Watu is virtually securing the Grand Prix that is one coveted spot in the Olympiad team that will be going to Russia in 2020.

It’s good to see the youngsters Ethon Felix and FM Keegan Agulhas up there with FM Bhawoodien and PM Bryan Aguirre and PM Amini Daud

Crossroads Open Chess Championship Elite

Crossroads Open Chess Championship Prestige – top 30

Crossroads Open Chess Championship C – top 30

In the Cape Winelands event Heinrich Basson dominated with 4.5/5 ending above Salmo Cilliers and Keagan Palmer. Heinrich is a strong player and thoroughly deserves his victory. It a pity though that the organisers couldn’t make it six rounds because only six round events count towards the Grand Prix in South Africa. Perhaps something to remember.

Cape Winelands Open 2019 Elite

Cape Winelands Open 2019 B – top 30

Cape Winelands Open 2019 U12

Cape Winelands Open 2019 U10

Cape Winelands Open 2019 U8

In the Overberg the 2018 Commonwealth Senior Champion Dr Andrey Southey dominated with 5/5 and Ashwin Gainsford in second with 3.5.

So essentially four of the five Western Cape districts hosted events this weekend. Is this good or bad.? Well its good for chess and perhaps some coordination next time round will ensure more players travelling but all in all a good advertisement for chess.

Last week the Cape Town Blitz was also won in emphatic fashion by IM Watu Kobese with 7/7. Well done to FM Mohammed Bhawoodien and Paul Gluckman and Llewellyn Louw and Nkwadi Mello They were the top prize winners in the blitz. The event has a rich history as can be seen from the list of prize winners through the years. FM Charles De Villiers won it 46 years apart!