Disadvantaged chess players sponsored

With the developmental players competing on the Saturday, it will facilitate the entry fee of 200 players from Gauteng and Mpumalanga, as well as sponsoring catering, clothing and goodie bags for all contestants.

The South African Chess Open, hosted by CHESSA, serves as the flagship of chess in South Africa. This year, the opening of a section for development players allowed a unique opportunity for previously disadvantaged competitors not only to participate, but to learn from top contenders and also to be acknowledged for their performance. This will be the first time that development players are allowed to participate in such a tournament.

"We are aiming to raise the profile of chess in the country and support those who are helping to develop chess in disadvantaged communities. We would also like to showcase some up and coming chess talent and help them as much as we can," notes King Pie marketing manager Nicholas Kühne.

"Chess is a lifelong challenge and we hope that by giving the opportunity to these development players to see what competitive chess is all about they will be motivated to strive to be on equal terms one day with our cricket and rugby players, and show the world how chess should be played," he adds.

The South African Chess Open is a FIDE, internationally accredited event with numerous Grand and International Masters competing in the tournament. CHESSA has welcomed the participation of developmental players and commended King Pie for its generosity.