Young chess player Uviwe Mkwana has shown determination and growth at the 2026 Western Cape Schools Chess (WCSC) High School Individual Provincial Championship, held in George this past weekend.
Competing in the highly contested U15 boys’ section, Uviwe faced a strong field of 84 players at Carpe Diem High School. Despite the tough competition, he delivered an impressive performance, scoring 3½ out of a possible six points and climbing from 51st position to finish 27th overall.
Some of the chess players represented MasiSports, a Cape Town-based non-profit organisation (NPO).
While he narrowly missed out on qualifying for the national championships—falling just one point short of the top 15—his achievement has been widely praised by his coach and supporters.
“As his coach, I’ve seen his hard work, discipline and determination,” his coach, Karl Samushonga said. “He has earned this opportunity, and we are confident he will represent the province with pride.”
Uviwe’s performance rating of 1596 significantly exceeded his current rating of 1413, highlighting his ability to compete strongly against higher-rated opponents. His efforts earned him provincial colours—an important milestone in his chess journey.
His love affair with chess blossomed when he was in Grade 3.
Reflecting on the tournament, Uviwe expressed a mix of pride and motivation.
“I feel proud of my performance because I improved my position, played strong games against higher-rated opponents and achieved a good performance rating,” he said. “I am also a bit disappointed to have missed qualification for nationals by just one point, but overall it was a valuable experience that showed my progress and motivated me to keep working harder.”
Beyond the results, the tournament offered valuable exposure and personal growth. Uviwe described the experience as both exciting and rewarding, noting that he made new friends and gained important competitive experience.
Looking ahead, Uviwe has set his sights high, with the dream of one day becoming the first African world chess champion.
