The City of Cape Town’s annual Chess@Libraries Tournament came to a thrilling finale at Kenilworth Racecourse on Thursday 1 October, as nearly 180 young competitors from approximately 40 libraries across the metro gathered for the finals.

Opportunities

The Chess@Libraries initiative is a longstanding partnership between the City’s Library and Information Services Department, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, the Cape Town Chess Federation and several committed partners, who share a vision of creating opportunities for young people through education, mentorship and skills development.

Following months of local competitions hosted at participating libraries, finalists competed for top honours in a celebration of skill, perseverance and sportsmanship.

“What began as a recreational library programme has evolved into one of the City’s most successful community development initiatives, bringing together young people from diverse communities through healthy competition and lifelong learning. The benefits of learning and playing chess include improving problem solving, critical and strategic thinking and memory — all while having fun playing the game,” said the City’s mayoral member for community services and health, Francine Higham.

“Congratulations to the winners who walked away with the honours. Well done to everyone who learned how to play and participated in the rounds. It is encouraging to see the sport grow and no doubt we have many more future champions waiting to get on the board.”

RESULTS

Experienced Section (players who have Chess South Africa ratings):

-1st place — Lutho Mfazwe, Delft Library

-2nd place — Tezihano Mnyasta, Parow Library

-3rd place — Prince Ngombo, Parow Library

-Best Female Player – Imikhitha Joya, Crossroads Library

Evolved

Supported by ward councillor Emile Langenhoven, the Chess@Libraries Tournament has evolved beyond competition into a broader educational pathway.

“As a founding member of Game Changers NPC, it has been an honour to support the Chess@Libraries Tournament. This initiative is about more than just chess — it creates a vital pathway from the game to STEM education. The 2026 city finals brought together young competitors from libraries in largely under-resourced communities. Through our partnership with the Schools Turnaround Foundation, we are proud to provide 30 of these learners with a full year of mathematics tutoring in 2027, proving how government, civil society and the private sector can collaborate to unlock real academic opportunities for our youth,” said Langenhoven.

The participating libraries included Avondale, Bellville, Central, Crossroads, Delft, Du Noon, Durbanville, Goodwood, Gordon’s Bay, Grassy Park, Gugulethu, Harare, Heideveld, Kensington, Khayelitsha, Kloof Street, Koeberg, Kraaifontein, Langa, Lentegeur, Maitland, Mamre, Masiphumelele, Meadowridge, Moses Mabhida, Nazeema Isaacs, Parow, Pinelands, Rocklands, Scottsdene, Southfield, Tafelsig, Tokai, Town Centre, Weltevreden, Woodstock and Wynberg libraries.

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