Helderberg Chess Club Shines at 2025 Cape Town Junior League Finals
Helderberg Chess Club made a big statement at the 2025 Cape Town Junior League Finals, held at Meridian Pinehurst this past weekend. With more than 300 young players competing across multiple divisions and age groups, the event was one of the most exciting and competitive junior chess tournaments in recent memory.
And Helderberg didn’t just show up — we dominated.
We’re proud to announce that our players brought home nine podium finishes, the most of any club at the event. That’s a clear sign of the depth, skill, and consistency running through our teams.
Standout Results from Team Helderberg
The tournament was split into two main divisions:
- The A-Section, for highly competitive and experienced teams
- The Development Section, designed to support newer players gaining tournament experience
Here’s how our players placed:
A-Section:
- U/18 A – 3rd place
- U/16 A – 2nd place
- U/14 A Girls – 2nd place
- U/14 A – 3rd place
Development Section:
- U/8 Development – 1st place
- U/10 Development – 1st place
- U/10 Development Girls – 3rd place
- U/12 Development – 3rd place
- U/16 Development – 2nd place
These wins reflect the steady growth of our players, from our youngest competitors to our seasoned teens. Every team gave it their all and represented the club with determination and focus.
The Power of Teamwork and Courage
One of the most touching stories from the event came from five-year-old Ami Beukes, who made her debut at the tournament playing in the U/10 Girls Development team. The team itself was made up of just five girls — three U/7s and two U/10s — so they had to compete in an older division.
Despite the odds, these young players stayed composed, fought hard, and secured a third-place finish. Ami’s effort and bravery on the board was something special. She reminded everyone that you’re never too young to step up and make an impact.
Another proud moment came when the U/14 Girls team outperformed our own boys, finishing second while the boys finished third. That result speaks volumes about the club’s commitment to supporting and developing all players equally — and making sure every child gets a chance to compete and grow.
Our U/8 team also stole the show, finishing first in their section and even outperforming the U/10 team. They’ve shown incredible progress and are quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with.
What These Results Really Mean
Winning medals is always exciting, but what truly matters is how our players handled themselves. From start to finish, they showed sportsmanship, teamwork, and focus. They supported each other. They listened to their coaches. And they played every game with heart.
We’re deeply grateful to our amazing coaching team for their steady guidance, and to the parents who continue to show up, support, and cheer. None of this would be possible without your commitment.
Thank you to the Cape Town Chess Federation for organising a well-run and meaningful event. We can’t wait to see what the next tournament brings.
Helderberg Chess Club is growing stronger every season — and our junior players are leading the way.
Let’s keep going, team Helderberg!
If you would like to be a part of the Helderberg Chess Club you can become a member by going to our Membership page. Also follow us on Facebook for more details.
