Chess players square off at Khayelitsha tournament
Chess has a bright future in Khayelitsha if the more than 60 people of all ages who packed the hall at the Kuyasa library on Saturday morning for a chess tournament is anything to go by.
The competition was held in preparation for an upcoming provincial tournament, said library assistant Sisonke Mencani.
He said the library had its own chess club, and he urged parents to encourage their children to play the game as it encouraged critical thinking and problem solving among other things.
“We believe that libraries should not only provide books but other activities too. The response we saw when we called on the children to come for the tournament was massive. It showed the hunger for the sport. It is a growing sport in Khayelitsha.”
Chess coach George Butau said he had started teaching chess, with just two boards and eight children, at his home during the Covid pandemic when he had noticed children weren't going to school and were roaming the streets.
“I have a passion for chess and working with kids. I'm doing this project of introducing and coaching chess to mostly disadvantaged and underprivileged kids in marginalised communities in Khayelitsha.
"Since starting the project in 2020, the response has been so overwhelming, and now I have 531 kids in my project, which includes some 38 orphans, and the number is going up.
“I also have expanded the chess programmes in the schools in the township.”
He said chess had helped him with depression. He believes the game can help to focus the mind and provide valuable life lessons.
“I will continue sharing the skills with the current and new generation of young players.
“You must come to my house and see how many new players come every day. I am happy because I have seen it played in the street corners now. That means it is growing.”
Felix Nyandebvu ,47, said chess gave him focus, discipline and drive, and it had helped him to be a problem solver.
“I was inspired by my coach, and I am still learning. But I can safely say it is a game of thinking, a game of polishing your skills. There is a lot of benefit from it.”
