Following a splendid hosting of the National Junior
Championship in Swakopmund for the second year running, junior chess players
aged 5 to 20 once again made it to the capital for the final segment of the
junior tournament where they showcased an array of classical chess skills at
the Windhoek Show Grounds.
Only the top 10 from different age groups made it
through to the closed tourney in which only Namibian players could part-take,
unlike the open tournament which allowed all juniors including foreign
nationals to partake.
In a quest to crown a new national junior champion for
each age group, the Namibia Chess Federation made camp at the Windhoek Show Grounds
for a three day mind bobbling chess championship witnessed by parents, coaches
and spectators from around the country.
Children as young as 5 showed up to play 7 rounds, in
a tournament that saw the tournament favorites showcasing just why they
continue to be crème de la crème of their age groups.
Grade 12 learner, Immanuel Gariseb, who is nothing
short of a familiar face at Namibian chess tournaments walked away as overall
winner of the tournament. This triumph marks Gariseb’s third gold medal this
year after scooping first place at the 2nd Leg of the Chess Grand
Prix in April in Windhoek and the Open-National Junior Championship in
Swakopmund earlier this month.
William
Kamberipa came in 2nd with a score of 5.5/7, grapping his second
silver medal in a raw after finishing 2nd in Swakopmund. Also
repeating his Swakopmund performance was third place runner up and UNAM Chess
Club player Jossy Uapingene.
Isaskar Hamaseb from Okahandja tantalized his opponents as he scooped gold with a perfect score of 7/7 leaving 2nd place for Hochland High School matric student, Montgomery Gurirab, a who finished with 5.5/7 followed by Leonhard Tjirare from Paresis Secondary School with a 5/7.
The under 16 received more excitement as Sixteen year old Nicola Tjaronda, who is Namibia's current Women's champion defeated her male counterparts with no sweat as usual as she matched on to claim her gold trophy. She was followed by Tibor Trepper in 2nd and Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool (WAP) learner Lida-Marie Calitz in 3rd.
Anthony van der Meer
proved to be the most improved player as he charged on from round one
sacrificing his strong pieces for his opponents’ minor pieces which either
resulted in quick checkmates or long tactical endgame defeats for his nemesis. After
coming in first place, Anthony proclaimed that he allowed his opponents to
think he was weak during his below average performance in Swakopmund, which he
says helped him surprise his opponents in Windhoek. In 2nd place was
Mubasen /Hochobeb followed by Hiren Naidoo in 3rd.
The U12 section saw the making of a young chess protégé, Dante Beukes who threshed his entire opponent and finished off in a “Harry the Terminator” style with an undefeated and undisputed score of 7/7. Kevin Gurirab claimed 2nd price and Aldo Horn taking 3rd spot.
In the
under 10 section, Joshua Oberholzer also repeated his Swakopmund fit as he came
in 1st place. Behind him in 2nd and 3rd were Keisha-Catriona
van Wyk and Jane Ditshaba respectively.
The
youngest champion of the tournament was 8 years old Galeshewe Jane, who was
followed his playground rivals Mika Oberholzer in 2nd and Lure Horn
in 3rd.
The first place winners,
male and female in each age group at this tournament will be representing
Namibia in Durban, South Africa at the World Youth Chess Championship (WYCC)
between the 19th and 30th September 2014 with all expenses covered. Whilst second and third place runner-ups of
each age group also represent Namibia in Durban but at their own expense. The
NCF will only assist them with free transportation to and from Durban.
The overall winner from the
under 20 section Immanuel Gariseb will be representing Namibia at this year’s
World Junior Chess Championship in Pune, India, from 5th October to 20th October 2014.
