After hosting a successful inaugural chess tournament in Aston Bay in November 2023, the organisers are now planning to host multiple tournaments throughout the year and establish a new chess club in the area, which will be affiliated to the Sarah Baartman Chess Union.
George Werner, chess tournament organiser, said that while the Sarah Baartman Chess Union hosts multiple chess tournaments throughout the district each year, he hosted the very first chess tournament in Aston Bay in November last year, with 22 players between the ages 12 and 44 participating.
He said that the CEO of Procydin, Johan Lottering, who currently resides in Marina Martinique, provided the necessary sponsorship to ensure that the tournament was a great success.
“The feedback after the chess tournament in Aston Bay was excellent. Everyone enjoyed it tremendously,” said Werner.
With the high level of excitement after the last chess tournament two months ago, he said that they plan to host three more tournaments this year, with the next event to be held on March 23, at Tapas Restaurant in Aston Bay.
Werner said that the trophy for each tournament will be a floating trophy which the current champion, Riaz Salie, will have to defend.
To their surprise he said that many companies have expressed interest in sponsoring their upcoming chess tournaments, which will enable them to increase the value of the prize.
Elaborating on the importance of playing chess in the Aston Bay community, Werner said that the sport is very important for the development of the brains of both the elderly and young.
He further said that chess will also help keep young people off the streets and involved in constructive activities.
With the positive feedback received from their recent chess tournament, Werner said that they are planning to establish a chess club in Aston Bay and Paradise Beach which will be affiliated to the Sarah Baartman Chess Union located in Jeffreys Bay.
He said that they also intend forming ties with the chess club at King’s College.
Werner said that on January 9 they hosted a public meeting with chess players and prospective chess players at Tapas Restaurant in Aston Bay, to formally establish the chess club.
“From January 16 we will meet and play chess every Tuesday at Tapas Restaurant for the rest of the year. We also plan to host many social events,” said Werner.
As the chess club continues to cement itself within the community, he said that later this year they plan to teach beginners’ chess and host beginner’s tournaments as well.
“We want to start chess development programmes to keep youngsters off the street, and participating in an activity that will develop their brain power,” said Werner.
For more information, contact George Werner on 071 346 6922 or Sheldon Hutchinson on 061 471 9348.
