Young masters shine as Curro Chess moves from screen to board
22 September 2025The inaugural Curro Chess Rapid Open brought 160 players to Curro Durbanville in August 2025, marking a milestone for South African school chess as the programme transitioned from digital platforms to traditional over-the-board play.
From pixels to pawns
For the past five years, Curro Chess has thrived online, drawing 300 to 400 learners from South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. The tournaments created a digital chess community that grew beyond borders. Cindy van der Merwe, Portfolio Manager of Curro Sport, said: ‘What began as a necessity during the pandemic has become something special. We've seen children develop not only as players, but as analytical thinkers who can handle pressure.’
The shift to over-the-board chess brought new dynamics. Players now had to move pieces, press clocks, and read their opponents across the board – elements absent in online play.
A family affair
The event highlighted how chess spans all ages. The youngest competitor was just three years old, while parents filled the hall to support their children. Some tracked results closely, while others enjoyed watching the focus on each move. ‘Seeing the children face-to-face after years online was genuinely moving,’ said Cindy.
Stars emerge
The six-round Swiss tournament, rated by Chess South Africa, used a 20-minute time control with five-second increments. Standout performances came across age groups:
- Under-8: Ethan Barnes
- Under-10: Jummig Lin
- Under-12: Schalk Wolf van der Merwe
- Under-14: Joakim Bessesen
- Under-16: Dylan Ashworth
- Under-19: Logan Priestley
Full results reflected depth across the field:
- Under-8: Ethan Barnes, Sophia Smith, Akilan Varadharajan
- Under-10: Jummig Lin, Derek Neethling, Marco Ou
- Under-12: Schalk Wolf van der Merwe, Mason Stern, Xuan Jesse Zhang Ming
- Under-14: Joakim Bessesen, Lian Bowman, Seth Berry
- Under-16: Dylan Ashworth, Nathaniel Katsidzira, Zion Smith
- Under-19: Logan Priestley, Tristan Jonkers, Cashlin Mackinna
Many of these players developed their skills through Curro’s online tournaments, showing how digital training can translate into board success.
Tomorrow’s champions
The event underlined the educational and personal benefits of chess. One parent noted: ‘Chess teaches children how to lose gracefully and win with humility. In a world where instant gratification is the norm, watching her think for several minutes about a single move is refreshing.’
Cindy added: ‘The tournament shows what we've been building over the past few years. These weren't merely local school competitions, many participants developed their skills through our online programme, creating a pathway where digital training translated into over-the-board success.’
Chess continues to grow within schools, helping learners build critical thinking, patience, and resilience – skills that carry far beyond sixty-four squares.