School of Education 4th year student Xolani Mathebula took a top 10 place at the competitive two-day Ethekwini Open Chess Championship earlier this year.
More than 100 players competed in the A-section with another 90 players in the B-section.
He says that the Durban championship has gained popularity in recent years as players from across South Africa and neighbouring countries meet to play the game of kings.
“With two easy wins and draw on the first day, this put me in an enviable position of 2,5 of 3 score.”
“Day 2 also started well for me with a hard fought win against a strong opponent and protracted struggle. This was followed loss against the national master and SA Chess Olympiad team member Mosetlhe Kgaugelo.
He explains that the win was followed by a win against a local player, Majola Zenzele, who blundered with his “Rook and Knight”.
At the end of the championships, Xolani ‘s final score was 4,5 points out of a total of 6 and an overall position of 9th as a result of 8th position tie.
Xolani is a previous SPU sportsman of the year.
To read about another SPU chess champion, Simon Maupa.
