Helderberg Chess Club Players Take on the World in Batumi, Georgia

It was an unforgettable experience for three Helderberg Chess Club players who represented South Africa on the international stage at the FIDE World Cup Under 8–12 in Batumi, Georgia.

Joshua Nel, Josua Kruger and Evan de Wet competed against some of the strongest young chess players from around the world in a tournament that showcased the incredible depth and quality of international junior chess.

The event, held at the five-star Grand Bellagio and Euphoria hotels, brought together around 700 players from 68 countries. The opening ceremony on 16 June was attended by representatives from FIDE, the Georgian Chess Federation and local sporting authorities. All games were played on live boards, allowing the world to follow the action as the next generation of chess talent battled it out.

For the Helderberg players, the tournament was both a challenge and a valuable learning experience.

Joshua Nel and Josua Kruger show fighting spirit

Both Joshua Nel and Josua Kruger experienced a difficult start as they adapted to the extremely high standard of international competition. They both lost their first four games, but showed tremendous resilience and determination to fight their way back into the tournament.

Joshua had a remarkable second half, losing only one of his final seven rounds while scoring two wins and several draws. The quality of chess was exceptional, with one of his draws standing out as a perfect example of the level required at this tournament. Joshua produced a game with an accuracy rating of 96.4%, while his opponent achieved 95.7% accuracy over 32 moves.

At local tournaments, an accuracy score above 85% is often enough to secure a strong result. At this level, however, players needed to maintain elite precision just to compete.

Josua Kruger also produced an impressive comeback. After his challenging opening rounds, he finished strongly in his final seven games, scoring three victories, one loss and several draws to turn his tournament around and demonstrate his fighting ability.

Evan de Wet gains valuable international experience

Evan de Wet also represented Helderberg Chess Club in Batumi, competing against some of the best players in his age group from across the globe.

After facing tough international opposition, Evan found his rhythm as the tournament progressed and produced a strong finish. He recorded victories in rounds 4, 5, 8 and 9, demonstrating his ability to adapt, learn from each game and compete successfully against highly rated opponents.

His results highlighted the value of international exposure, giving him important experience in handling different playing styles, tournament pressure and the demands of elite junior chess.

A milestone achievement for Helderberg Chess Club

Having three players compete at a FIDE World-level event is a proud achievement for Helderberg Chess Club. International tournaments like this expose young players to different styles of play, stronger preparation and the mental demands required at the highest levels.

The experience gained in Batumi will undoubtedly contribute to their future growth as chess players.

Congratulations to Joshua, Josua and Evan on representing Helderberg Chess Club and South Africa with pride. We look forward to seeing how this experience shapes the next chapters of their chess journeys.