The 2026 South African Open Chess Championship, held from 2–5 July at DF Akademie in Bellville, was another memorable event for Helderberg Chess Club. Players from across the Helderberg basin competed against some of the strongest chess players in South Africa, producing outstanding performances across nearly every age category.

From six-year-olds playing in their very first national tournament to senior players taking on titled masters, Helderberg was proudly represented by more than 30 players. Beyond the results, the tournament was filled with learning, friendships, determination and the incredible support of parents, coaches and teammates.

The atmosphere among the Helderberg families was exceptional. There were early mornings, late evenings, long hours in tournament halls, post-game analysis sessions, picnic lunches, visits to Tyger Valley, carnival rides, plenty of laughter and, of course, lots of chess. These shared experiences are what make tournaments like the SA Open so special.

Under 7 Girls – The Future Looks Bright

Our youngest players showed tremendous courage and enthusiasm as they began their national chess journeys.

Jemma Lee had an outstanding tournament, scoring 5/7 to claim 2nd place in the Under 7 Girls section. Jemma continues to impress with her consistent improvement and competitive spirit.

Lira Adolf, a Grade 1 learner, played in her very first tournament and scored 1½/7, proudly following in the footsteps of her older siblings, Feraydo and Chardonay.

Ami Beukes, still only six years old and in Grade R, also scored 1½/7. As the youngest player in our club, Ami approaches every game with a smile, reminding us that enjoying the game is just as important as the result.

Under 9 Players Continue to Impress

The Under 9 age group has become one of the strongest emerging groups in Helderberg Chess Club, with more families than ever supporting their young players at tournaments.

Fresh from representing South Africa at the FIDE World Cadet Championships in Batumi, Georgia, Evan de Wet continued his excellent form by finishing 4th in the Under 9 Boys section. Evan scored 5½/7, recording five wins, one draw and just one loss, improving on his 9th starting rank. His strong performances have also earned him qualification for the African Schools Chess Championship to be held in Namibia later this year.

Cullen Beukes and Cayden Poole both scored 4 points, finishing 19th and 20th respectively. Shanly Shinoy Kuriakose scored 4/7, while Heiko Etsebeth finished on 2½/7.

The Under 9 Girls also enjoyed an excellent tournament. Lana de Bruyn scored 5½/7 to secure 3rd place. Sarah Crafford and Emma Koen both scored 4/7, finishing 8th and 9th respectively.

Zoey de Wet enjoyed a strong tournament, scoring 4 wins from 7 games to finish 14th, improving on her 19th starting rank. Her twin sister, Lila de Wet, battled hard throughout the event, recording three victories to finish 17th. Raphaella Koutsis and Trinity Isaacs each scored 3/7.

It has been wonderful to watch this age group grow in both numbers and strength. After every round there are games to analyse, lessons to learn and, most importantly, teammates and families encouraging one another every step of the way.

Under 11 Players Continue to Build Momentum

Our Under 11 players produced another set of strong performances.

Michael Venter and Lin Junming both scored 5/7, finishing 7th and 13th respectively. Josua Kruger scored 4½/7, while Alexander Marais, Lihan Viljoen and Jason Griesel all scored 4/7. Gustav Koen finished on 3/7.

Josua recently returned from representing South Africa at the FIDE World Cadet Championships in Batumi, Georgia, and continues to gain valuable experience against top international opposition.

In the Under 11 Girls section, Rujeko Pfukwa continued her excellent form by scoring 5½/7 to finish 3rd, while Chardonay Adolf scored 3/7.

Under 13 Players Rise to the Challenge

Moving into a new age group is never easy in chess. Players suddenly face opponents who are older, stronger and more experienced, but our Under 13 players embraced the challenge.

Ben Klopper produced one of the standout performances of the tournament, scoring 6/7 to become the South African Under 13 Boys Champion. Having recently represented South Africa internationally, Ben continues to establish himself as one of the country’s strongest young players.

Liam Rule continued his excellent recent form by scoring 5/7 to finish 8th. Migael Kruger scored 4½/7, while Daniël van der Spuy finished on 4/7.

In the Under 13 Girls section, Isabella Temmers scored 4/7 to finish 10th after also recently competing internationally, while Sherry Ann Shinoy scored 3½/7.

Under 15 Success

The Under 15 section proved to be one of the toughest competitions of the tournament, with long games and many draws on the top boards.

Feraydo Adolf delivered an outstanding performance, winning his first six games before narrowly missing out on the title after losing his final-round encounter. He finished with 6/7, tying for first place on points but claiming an excellent 2nd place after tiebreaks.

Feraydo’s hard work over the past year is clearly paying off, and his dream of provincial selection is becoming increasingly realistic.

Dawid Kruger scored 4½/7 in his first year competing in the Under 15 section, while Yi Zheng finished on 3/7.

In the Under 15 Girls section, Alyssa Bolton scored 4/7, while Palesa Pfukwa finished on 3/7.

Under 17 Players Face Tough Battles

The older junior sections become increasingly competitive, with many closely contested games ending in draws.

Albert van der Spuy scored 4/7 to finish 14th after suffering only one loss, drawing four games—including an excellent draw against a Candidate Master—and winning two. Tyrique Isaacs and Calem Rule each finished on 2½/7.

In the Under 17 Girls section, Sadye Geduldt scored 3½/7 to finish 11th.

Strong Performances in the Senior Sections

Daniel Kruger enjoyed an excellent tournament in the Intermediate section, scoring 6/9 to finish 11th. Competing in his first major national event, Daniel showed tremendous determination and proved that dedication and hard work are rewarded.

Helderberg Chess Club’s own photographer and organiser, Naomi Bolton, swapped her camera for a chessboard to compete in the Ladies section. Facing some of South Africa’s strongest female players, including titled competitors, Naomi scored 4/9 to finish 13th in the women’s section, showing that it’s never too late to chase your own chess ambitions.

In the Championship section, Sven Martz proudly represented Helderberg against some of South Africa’s elite players. Competing against FIDE Masters, Candidate Masters and other titled opponents, Sven scored an impressive 4½/9, gaining invaluable experience at the highest level.

A Club to Be Proud Of

The South African Open once again demonstrated that Helderberg Chess Club is about far more than medals and trophies. It is about families who sacrifice their weekends, coaches who invest countless hours, parents who cheer from the sidelines and players who continue to challenge themselves against stronger opposition.

Every game played, whether won, drawn or lost, represents another step forward in each player’s chess journey.

Congratulations to every Helderberg Chess Club player who represented our club with pride. Your dedication, sportsmanship and passion for chess continue to inspire the next generation, and we look forward to seeing even greater achievements in the months ahead.