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Helderberg Chess Club proudly played a direct supporting role in one of the most prestigious chess exhibitions ever hosted in Cape Town, as the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam showcase unfolded at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) ahead of the global finals near Hermanus. World number one Magnus Carlsen headlined the event alongside elite…

The A & A Invitational Chess Tournament 2025 took place on Saturday, 29 November 2025 at the Somerset West Library Hall, bringing together 50 committed players across all age groups and rating levels. The tournament was organized by Aldrich van Wyk and Armand Etsebeth, two of Helderberg Chess Club’s dedicated coaches, who set out to…

This Tuesday, Sven waited.And waited.And waited some more. But Tebogo never showed up. The long-awaited rematch of last week’s legendary stalemate was officially cancelled by fate. Now poor Sven has to live indefinitely with “½” haunting his rating. He even asked hopefully at one point, “Isn’t that other guy coming tonight?” He didn’t — but…

On Wednesday, our Mzansi players lined up at Waterstone Indigo Spur, buzzing with excitement for their very first “waitering job.” Manager Juan Pierre welcomed everyone warmly and paired each child with a dedicated waiter. Parents and supporters grabbed their seats — and keep your eyes on this space, because when the HCC exco ladies sit…

Triggerfish Tuesday started off deceptively calm. Clive was there bright and early — which he soon regretted after agreeing to a “warmup” match with Sven (a mistake he won’t repeat). Michael took a little longer to warm up — Naomi left him with Charlie for a gentle start, only to return from placing an order…

This week, Ben glided in on the back of his dad’s electric bike — presumably. Naomi didn’t actually see it, but after last week’s breaking news headline (“Ben Arrives on Motorbike!”), she’d like to issue an official correction before rumours of a chess biker gang start. Dennis, fully recovered from his flu and clearly making…

The market was buzzing with energy as chess players and supporters filled the patio for another fantastic day of community chess! Despite the scorching heat, the shaded patio offered the perfect cool spot for our games — and what a turnout it was. 💚 Beginners Section (15 players)Open to all juniors under 1500 rating, the…

Ben roared in on the back of his dad’s motorbike, looking like he’d just come from a chess-themed action movie called Fast & Fianchettoed. He was ready to crush — and who better to test his confidence than Sven, a.k.a. “The Destroyer of Hope”? (Warm-up complete… ego slightly dented.) Meanwhile, Clive and Morné were on…

“Every move tells a story – every player made history!” The Helderberg Chess Club is incredibly proud of another unforgettable Gordon’s Bay Primary Championship — organised by none other than our club’s matriarch, Dorothy Potgieter. Her energy, heart, and vision continue to inspire a generation of young minds to think deeply, play boldly, and most…

Triggerfish was buzzing this week — and not just from the beer. The Mensa Society had shown up for their boardgame night, quickly earning the nickname “the clever people.” According to staff, chess players also count as clever… but the Mensa crew are “the originals.” We’ll graciously settle for runner-up geniuses. 🧠 Daniel immediately recognized…