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Chess Open to play out from 12 to 18 March

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The Boardwalk proudly plays host to the 2018 Boardwalk Pearson Open Chess Open for the first time from 12 to 18 March 2018. The prestigious event will see top and emerging chess players pit their skills against each other in a tournament accredited and recognized by the World Chess Federation (Federation Internationale des Echecs, known as FIDE from its French acronym).

The IM Norm field – which is by invitation only and features top players from India, Angola, Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe – takes place from 12 to 18 March 2018; the A and B Sections – rated by FIDE, Chess South Africa (CHESSA), and the URS – will play out on 16 to 18 March and the Junior Development section will take place on 17 March 2018. Chess players are called to register to compete in the 2018 Boardwalk Pearson Open Chess Open. Online entries are open at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfT4qtEQMCohrSeebAGVWgKZmT546hS3EZuqfjOF4md0FFwFg/viewform For more information, send enquiries to boardwalkpearsonchess18@gmail.com

The A Section is open to chess players with a FIDE or CHESSA rating of 1600 or higher. The stakes are high in this competition, with R3 000 to be won by the 1st place winner, R2 000 by the runner up and R1 500 for third place. The Best Junior (under 18) will receive a prize of R500. The entry fee is R250 per player. The B Section is open to players with a CHESSA rating of 1600 or lower. There are prizes to be won in this category too, with R1 000 as a first prize. The entry fee per player is R200. The one-day, Junior Development competition is open to all young chess players under the age of 12. There will be medals for winners and entry is R50 per player.

“The Boardwalk is honoured to work in partnership with Pearson High School to bring this tournament to fruition. We believe it is fitting to provide our local chess players with chance to compete on home soil against players from across the country to improve their ratings with FIDE and CHESSA. The Eastern Cape is home to many chess enthusiasts, many of whom have represented South Africa internationally. Seeing the players, especially the youth, coming through the ranks and become recognised is heartening and we look forward to seeing them all in action at the tournament,” says The Boardwalk’s General Manager, Mike van Vuuren.

The Boardwalk has long been a proud supporter of local chess and chess development. It has been in partnership with Nelson Mandela Bay Chess Union since 2011 and has played host to the Commonwealth Chess Championships 2013, the African Youth Chess Championships in 2013, the Eastern Cape Close Chess Tournament 2015 and the African Youth Chess Championships 2016.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Chess Union is a non-profit organisation that brings together chess players from all age groups, including seniors, from most parts of the Bay. It is through this endeavour that the Union creates a non-racial and a non-discriminatory playing and social environment.

The areas included in the Union are Motherwell and Zwide to the East, most of the Northern Areas and the Western suburbs.

“Chess in the Bay has a rich history. Some of our top players like the Saffier family, Ewan & Alexander Kromhout, Freddie Odendaal, and Jesse February have left their mark. They have now become coaches and paying it forward.

“It is the objective of the Nelson Mandela Bay Chess Union, to contribute positively to the upliftment and the continuous development of chess in the rural and disadvantaged segments of the Bay,” says Ridwaan Lagardien, President of Nelson Mandela Bay Chess Union.

The public is encouraged to visit The Boardwalk during the tournament to watch some of the exciting chess battles. The tournament runs daily from 12 to 18 March 2018 at the Boardwalk International Convention Centre.

The starting time on 17 and 18 March 2018 is 08h30.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.