TWCA Students Crowned as Chess Masters at 2016 African Schools Individual Chess Championships

TWCA is always synonymous with success. Our students are history makers, delivering on their training regime. They once again proof that hard work, dedication and correct training practices and methods pays huge dividends. Four of our students went to participate at the 2016 African Individual Schools Chess Championships in Zambia, Lusaka. The event was held at the Golden Peacock Hotel. They were Philip Mootseng, Dante Beukes, Jamie-Nicole Beukes and Ottilie Hinda.

Chess Masters from left to right:
WCM Jamie-Nicole, WCM Oyo and
FM Dante, proudly under the Namibian Flag

We now have (FM) Fide Master Dante Beukes who won the 2016 African Schools Individual Chess Championships for Boys u/13. Dante won the gold medal and the Fide Master Title. It was indeed a phenomenal performance with a score of 8/9 games.

FM Dante Beukes on the podium.

Another milestone was his younger sister Jamie-Nicole Beukes who also scored 8/9 and coming second at the 2016 African Schools Individual Chess Championships for Girls u/9. With this performance Jamie-Nicole got a silver medal and secured a chess master title and is now the second youngest (WCM)Women's Candidate Master of Namibia.

WCM Jamie-Nicole on the podium

The 3rd title award was achieved by 6 year old Ottilie Hinda when she scooped the second place at the 2016 African Schools Individuals Chess Championships for girls u/7 and was awarded with a silver medal and the (WCM) Women's Candidate Master Title. Oyo is now the youngest chess master in Namibia and she achieved that even before she started grade 1.

WCM Ottilie Hinda on the podium

TWCA students won 3 medals for Namibia and 3 chess master titles for Namibia. Congratulations to the students and their parents for a successful event. TWCA students have to date  won 5 medals for Namibia in the last two years, 1 Gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze. Similarly TWCA Students achieved 5 chess master titles. They are CM & FM Dante Beukes, WCM Nicola Tjaronda, WCM Jamie-Nicole Beukes and WCM Ottilie Hinda.

SOME FACTS AND STATISTICS:

There are different levels of chess masters in chess:

Level 1: Candidate Master & Women's Candidate Master  

Level 2: Fide Master & Women's Fide Master

Level 3: International Master & Women's International Master

Level 4: Grand Master & Women's Grand Master

As easy as TWCA students made it look like, its a challenge to obtain these chess master titles. Namibia has 11 Chess Masters, 2 Fide Masters, 3 Candidate Masters, and 6 Women's Candidate Masters. TWCA is also the only Chess Academy to ever produce medals (5) for Namibia on the International scene and to top that up the only Chess Academy to produce chess masters (5) from scholars.

CONGRATULATIONS!! CHESS FOR FUN, CHESS TO WIN!!

HEAVY-K CONSULTING ENGINEERS SPONSORS TWCA 2016 AWARDS CEREMONY

December 4, 2016 was the day to reward our students for completion of they year courses and for achieving the best places after hard fought chess battles. We are proud of our Students, Parents and Coaches. Thank you to everyone. TWCA are build on only 3 pillars, The Student, The Coach and The Parent. If any of these 3 pillars fails we fail. If all 3 pillars stands strong we succeed. 

Coach Max with some of the Gold Achievers of 2016

A big thank you to Heavy-K Consulting Engineers for sponsoring N$6,500-00 to our award ceremony at Heja Lodge. It was indeed an unforgettable event. 

All students were awarded for completing their various course levels for 2016. After that we awarded the achievers in Junior Championships. There were also merit awards for most improved player, most lessons attended and highest Elo Rating achieved for the year. Even the coaches got a certificate of appreciation for their hard work throughout the year.

TWCA are indeed the impetus in Namibia. We are leading in both facets of chess, Coaching and  Administration. Parents and students interested in chess or those who struggle to get that elusive titles or medals are invited to join The Weekend Chess Academy to achieve success. We can make it happen for you guaranteed. Chess for fun, chess to win!!

TWCA Elo Ratings - 1 December 2016

TWCA RATINGS - 1 December 2016
No	Surname	Name	Master Title	Club Rating	Movement	New Rating
1	Beukes	Dante	cm	1775	48	1823
2	Ndoroma	Christopher	-	1739	-9	1730
3	Trepper	Tibor	-	1724	0	1724
4	Tjaronda	Nicola	wcm	1684	0	1684
5	Kajovi	Matjiua	-	1692	-28	1664
6	Cloete	Aldrin	-	1600	60	1660
7	Gurirab	Montegomery	-	1600	16	1616
8	Gurirab	Monte	-	1600	0	1600
9	Mootseng	Philip	-	1626	-41	1585
10	Shatipamba	Lazarus	-	1573	0	1573
11	Hewicke	Uatjiri	-	1496	28	1524
12	Kahuure	Mbitjita	-	1512	0	1512
13	Tibinyane	Elvira	-	1447	0	1447
14	Noreseb	Dudley	-	1453	-35	1418
15	Van Wyk	Keisha	-	1404	-16	1388
16	Beukes	Jamie-Nicole	-	1338	35	1373
17	Mcnally	Craig	-	1348	0	1348
18	Niilenge	Maria	-	1325	0	1325
19	Prybylski	Thomas	-	1352	-35	1317
20	Van Der Walt	Tjaart	-	1306	0	1306
21	Van Der Walt	Kosie	-	1300	0	1300
22	Smith	Shane	-	1294	0	1294
23	Van Wyk	Xander	-	1284	0	1284
24	Usurua	Ronaldo	-	1281	0	1281
25	Van Der Walt	Daneel	-	1209	0	1209
26	Shilangale	Karen	-	1196	0	1196
27	Beukes	Alexander	-	1188	0	1188
28	Mouton	Daniel	-	1165	22	1187
29	Palin	Leo	-	1181	0	1181
30	Iyambo	Ali	-	1178	0	1178
31	Beukes	Ivanhoe	-	1174	0	1174
32	Oarum	Lucius	-	1160	0	1160
33	Kayone	Petrus	-	1152	0	1152
34	Beukes	Amani	-	1112	0	1112
35	Hinda	Ottilie	-	1079	6	1085
36	Mushe	Calvin	-	1071	0	1071
37	Jansen	Lilian	-	1064	-22	1042
38	Kaambo	Ramalho	-	925	0	925
39	Hewicke	Violet	-	928	-22	906
40	Shilangale	Maureen	-	900	0	900
41	Mcnally	Jadon	-	900	0	900
42	Van	Xanthu	-	900	0	900
43	Tjozongoro	Kaukuje	-	900	0	900
44	Brandt	Anke	-	894	0	894
45	Beukes	Yasmin	-	856	0	856
CHESS PLAYERS WITH THE MOST RATING POINTS GAINED
No	Surname	Name	Master Title	Club Rating	Movement	New Rating
1	Cloete	Aldrin	-	1600	60	1660
2	Beukes	Dante	cm	1775	48	1823
3	Beukes	Jamie-Nicole	-	1338	35	1373
4	Hewicke	Uatjiri	-	1496	28	1524
5	Mouton	Daniel	-	1165	22	1187
6	Gurirab	Montegomery	-	1600	16	1616
7	Hinda	Ottilie	-	1079	6	1085
CHESS PLAYERS WITH THE MOST RATING POINTS LOST
No	Surname	Name	Master Title	Club Rating	Movement	New Rating
1	Mootseng	Philip	-	1626	-41	1585
2	Noreseb	Dudley	-	1453	-35	1418
3	Prybylski	Thomas	-	1352	-35	1317
4	Kajovi	Matjiua	-	1692	-28	1664
5	Jansen	Lilian	-	1064	-22	1042
6	Hewicke	Violet	-	928	-22	906
7	Van Wyk	Keisha	-	1404	-16	1388
8	Ndoroma	Christopher	-	1739	-9	1730
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE RATING LIST
No	Surname	Name	Master Title	Club Rating	Movement	New Rating
6	Cloete	Aldrin	-	1600	60	1660

Candidate Master Dante Beukes won the TWCA Chess Championships 2016

The Weekend of  November 25-27 was one of the best moments at TWCA. For nine years we had a championship with either a blitz or a rapid time control. This year we opted for a classical time control and it was rewarded with great results and stunning upsets.

Jamie vs Keisha

Daniel vs Voilet

 Candidate Master Dante Beukes won the Club Championships for the first time with a perfect score of 5/5 in a round robin against the other senior player of the Club. He was followed by Aldrin Cloete in 2nd place with 4/5 and in 3rd came Christopher Ndoroma with a score of 3/5.

Oyo vs Keisha

Uatjiri vs Thomas

In the Cadet section we had Uatjiri Hewicke who also scored perfect with 5/5, scooping the trophy and gold medal of this section. Uatjiri exhibit great chess skill and with that demonstrated why he was the best player of this section. In 2nd place we had Jamie-Nicole Beukes with 4/5 to take the silver medal. She only conceded a point to the winner, Uatjiri. She was followed by Keisha Van Wyk scoring 3/5 and taking home the bronze medal .

Dudley vs Dante

All the participants in the Cadet section took home a prize.
The Total Prize fund was N$2,200.00. The most lucrative at a TWCA event to date. TWCA and Parents sponsored the prizes.

Prizes: Open Section:
Trophy & Gold Medal and N$500 cash - Dante Beukes
Silver Medal and N$350 cash - Aldrin Cloete
Bronze Medal and N$200 cash - Christopher Ndoroma
N$150 cash - Matjiua Kajovi

Prizes: Cadet Section:
Trohpy & Gold Medal and N$300 cash - Uatjiri Hewicke
Silver Medal and N$200 cash - Jamie-Nicole Beukes
Bronze Medal and N$150 cash - Keisha Van Wyk
N$100 cash - Daniel Mouton
N$100 cash - Thomas Prybylski
N$50 cash - Ottilie Hinda
N$50 cash - Lilian Jansen
N$50 cash - Violet Hewicke.

The students had a blast and learned a lot from this event. We will even make it better in 2017.Watch the space. Congratulations to all the winner. The rest knows what to do to get on the podium.

CM Dante Beukes Dominated the ZCA Challenge

The Weekend Chess Academy were invited to the 10th Anniversary of The Zandell Chess Academy. Our students went and won the challenge.

CM Dante flanked by Manfredo and Kevin

Dante Beukes made sure that he defeat all the ZCA students. In the Cadet section we faced the Jane Brother who took 1st and second place. Keisha Van Wyk from TWCA was the start to beat one of the Jane Brothers and took 3rd place. We are super proud with the performance of our students.

CM Dante Beukes and Jamie-Nicole Beukes did it again, They won the 4th TWCA Rapid Chess Tournament.

Saturday, 1 October 2016 was no ordinary day as CM Dante Beukes and his younger sister Jamie-Nicole Beukes won the 4th TWCA Rapid Chess Tournament. This also ensured Dante to be the number one on the TWCA Rating list.

All Champs October 2016

In the open section we had Dante with a score of 6.5/7 scooping first prize, a gold medal and the trophy. He was followed by Montegomery Gurirab in second spot with 6/7 taking home the silver medal. 3rd place went to Matjiua Kajovi with 5.5/7. These were the prizes for the open section.

Dante & Jamie-Nicole

The event was a all play all event and the girls did not disappoint. In first place was Jamie -Nicole with 4/7 and 6th overall. She fought hard in every game and almost defeated brother Dante in their last round encounter. Jamie -Nicole secured the trophy and gold medal with her sterling performance. In second place came Keisha Van Wyk  with 3/7 scoring the silver medal. In 3rd place scoring 2.5/7 was Voilet Hewicke taking home the bronze medal. Voilet was extremely excited about her win and medal. She was a real fighter. watch this girl in the future. She improved a lot and will make waves.

Yasmin and Voilet in their battle.

Worth mentioning was Uatjiri Hewicke who came 4th overall and Daniel Mouton who also improved a lot. They are stars on the rise. Congratulations to all the medal winners and well done to all participants. We believe all of them learned something new on the day and they had lots of fun.

Prize monies for both sections were as follows:
1st Prize N$140-00
2nd Prize N$ 80-00
3rd Prize N$ 50-00

Chess for fun, chess to win!!

CM Dante Beukes and his Sister Jamie-Nicole Beukes won first TWCA Classical Chess Tournament

TWCA had its first ever in-house TWCA Classical Chess Tournament from 22-24 July 2016 and the competition was fierce as everyone wanted to take the top honors. 

The Prizes were lucrative as well, thanks to the sponsorship of Parents who contributed a total of N$1,500.00. Coach Max sponsored the Trophies and medals. We had twelve participants and they did not disappoint. 

From left to right at the back: Mrs. Noleen Mouton, Christopher, Dante,
Philip and Coach Max
in the front: Keisha, Jamie-Nicole and Oyo. Photo by Berdian Beukes.

The elder players might have thought the young ones will give them easy points, but it was not the case. The little ones fought tooth and nail until the end. The old adage that boys are better than girls at chess were also shattered as the girls defeated a number of boys as well.

CM Dante Beukes took the top honors when he won the event undefeated with 6.5/7. Dante won N$300.00 in prize money and Trophy and a gold medal for his hard work. In second place we had Christopher Ndoroma with 6/7. He earned the silver medal and N$200.00 for his performance. In third was Philip Mootseng with 5.5/7. He fought for every point and drew against CM Beukes and won a drawn endgame against upcoming star Dudley Noreseb. For that he earned the bronze medal and N$100.00.

There were no girls section, but we needed to award the girls for their effort. The winner was Jamie-Nicole Beukes who scoop the Gold, Trophy and the N$300.00,  when she won her last game. She also ended 5^th overall with 4/7. That was a sterling performance, by a talented young star. She also gained the most rating point in this event. She was followed by Keisha Van Wyk who came 2^nd and took the silver and N$200.00. In third place were none other than 5 year old Star Ottilie Hinda. Oyo, as we call her, plays like a machine. She process the moves very fast and execute them also very fast. I had the pleasure of watching her in action. She took home the Bronze Medal and N$100.00 for her performance. Oyo also gained the second most rating points.

The rest of the students who did not won the prizes from 1-3^rd got consolation prizes of N$50.00 each. So at the end everyone were rewarded for their efforts and they learned a great deal from this event. There were two sessions of "panel beating" to correct erroneous play by Coach Max.

Well done to all the winners and thanks to Parents for supporting your children. Thank you to Parents who sponsored the Prize fund. It was really very much appreciated. Our next Classical event will be in October 2016. Coach Max is looking forward to see who is going to win it!

TWCA Reign Supreme at 2016 Namibia National Closed Junior Chess Championships

Over the past weekend 24-26 The Namibia Chess Federation hosted the 2016 Namibia National Closed Junior Chess Championships at Jan Mohr Secondary School.

The TWCA Stars with Coach Max and Coach Matjiua

We had a number of participants and perform they did. From the youngest to the oldest Girls

U8 - We have Oyo Hinda only 5 years of age who came first in the under 8 section and got the Gold medal, the Trophy and is the Girls u/8 Champion of Namibia. Oyo scored 4/5 games. In third place with also 4/5 taking Bronze were Jamie-Nicole Beukes.

U12 -  Here Keisha Van Wyk dominated the girls with a perfect score of 7/7 and was duly rewarded with the u/12 Girls Champion of Namibia title. A Champion who works hard on her chess ,taking the Gold and the Trophy.

U16 - Elvira Tibinyane came out on top and reign supreme to take the Gold medal and Trophy. Another talented girl from the TWCA camp. She scored 4/5 to be crowned u/16 Girls Champion of Namibia.

The Boys did not disappoint either. From the youngest to the oldest:

U8 - We have Daniel Mouton who second with 4/5 and took the Silver Medal. A star in the making.

U14 - CM Dane Beukes dispose off all who thought they could be his rivals. He has won his age group for the last 3 years in a row. Dante had a perfect score of 7/7 and with that were rewarded  a Gold Medal, Trophy and the u14 Boys Champion of Namibia title.

U18 - Tibor Trepper were also shining bright in the under 18 section. He had a tough age group and proof that years of tournament experience and several medals later that he is the u/18 Boys Champion of Namibia. He scored 6.5/7 only shedding half a point. With that performance he went home with the Gold Medal and the Trophy.

Philip Mootseng is a new star at TWCA and had a good run. He only lost to Tibor and scored 5.5/7 taking the Silver Medal home. He is the man to watch next year.

U20 - Montgomery Gurirab was the main contender to watch and his opponents could not manage his blitz attacking style. Monte as we call him scored 5.5/6 to take the Gold Medal, Trophy and the title as u20 Namibia Boys Champion and the right to represent Namibia at all International Junior Chess Championships. 

In total we won 9 medals : 6 Gold medals, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze. All the medalist are eligible to represent Namibian abroad in chess competitions.

Well done to all our students. You make your Nation, Parents and your coaches very proud. You are simply the best.

Dante Beukes won the 2nd Leg of the Grand Prix Series

CM Dante Beukes is a gifted young lad, who breaks all records, The youngest at 12 years, to get a Chess Master Title in Namibia, the youngest 13 years,  to qualify for the Olympiad Team. The youngest to win an Open Rapid Chess Tournament.

Otto, Dante(Winner), and Icha

Saturday, 4 June 2016 was another day with splendid results. Dante is gaining momentum and will soon be an unstoppable force. Dedication, hard work, investment and parental guidance are the cornerstone of his success.

We are proud of you Dante and are waiting for your Grandmaster title. Yes, he has all the potential and innate qualities to get that title with ease. It will be another first for Namibia.

The Two Little Girls Oyo 5yrs and Jamie-Nicole 8 yrs

Jamie-Nicole his younger sister is not far behind. She won the Girls section with a perfect score of 7/7.
The cherry on the cake is, Oyo Hinda the 5 year old star from TWCA who scored 6/7 ahead of high school girls. She enjoyed the event thoroughly and can wait to impress more.

Well done to the Trio  from TWCA, We are super proud of you all.

5 year old Oyo participates at the First Leg of the Grand Prix series and scores points

Saturday 21 May 2016 was the first leg of the NCF's Grand Prix Series for 2016. Oyo Hinda and her Mother were the first to be at the event. She played 7 games and managed to score 2 points.

Little Oyo the Star Practicing chess notation

Congratulations to Oyo on her maiden tournament outside TWCA. We are looking forward to see more fireworks from Oyo in the future. This bundle of energy and genius should not be underestimated.

Christopher won the 3rd Edition of the TWCA Rapid Chess Tournament

23 April 2016, TWCA held its 3rd Rapid Chess Tournament and the students did not disappoint.
Christopher won with a perfect score of 7/7 for the second time.

Once again this young lad took a cool attitude and won the event.

In second place we had Matjiua Kajovi with 6/7. He only conceded one loss against Christopher. In 3rd came Lazarus Shatipamba with 5/7. The Girls did not disappoint and Keisha Van Wyk scored 4/7 and had the best tiebreak wining the girls section. In second place was Elvira Tibinyane who came second also with 4/7. In 3rd we had Maria Niilenge with 4/7. Only the tiebreaks seperated the girls from each other. It was indeed a close contest for them.

Ms Menencia Hinda sponsored a hot dog and a drink for each of the participants. The parents further contributed N$950 and Coach Max added and additional amount to bring the total prize fund to N$ 1170.00. The winners went home with trophies, but the rest of the kiddies also got something for the effort. Each child got a N$20.00 as a consolation prize.

The sponsors prize sponsors were
Ms Leani Van Wyk N$500.00
Ms Melitta Mathe N$200.00
Ms Delie Brandt N$200.00
Ms Velda Jansen N$50.00


The TWCA chess tournaments are gaining momentum and are being better and better managed by the TWCA Family.

Thank you to our kiddies for a great event and a big thank you to the parents for your contributions.

Coach Max won Olympiad Selection Tournament with a perfect score

A Selection tournament was held recently to select the 5th player for the Olympiad team. More then 10 player were invited, but only 6 accepted the invitation. Nitzborn with years of experience decided to give it a go against his much younger competitors and won all his games with a perfect score of 5/5. His fellow competitors asked him to please go and play good chess at the Olympiad. He remarked, that he will do his best.

The other team members for the men are:

1.Charles Eichab

2.Leomhard Muller

3. Sanders Oberholzer

4.Dante Beukes

5.Max B Nitzborn

The Ladies Team

1.Lishen Mentile

2.Jolly Nepando

3.Rauha Shipindo

4.Pricilla Tsuses

5.Magdalena Valombola

Congratulations to all participants for your achievements. Let's go and make Namibia proud.

Christopher came second at Omaruru Open Chess Tournament

Christopher Ndoroma showed his class once again when he took a silver medal home after disposing chess masters at the Omaruru Open Tournament.

He is gaining momentum and there is great things in store for this lad. Congratulations Chris.

Dante Beukes Qualifies for 42nd Chess Olympiad in Azerbaijan, Baku

Dante is a familiar face at the chess scene and he has earned another great achievement. Yes the young lad came 4th overall in Namibia at the recently held 2016 Namibia National Chess Championships.

Dante scored 5/7 after he disposed Ivan Boois in their last round encounter. The 5th spot will be filled in two weeks time at another selection tournament.

Congratulations to Dante on your great achievement.

TWCA Students Excel at Independence Blitz

Saturday, 19 March TWCA students played their best chess again to victory. Dante Beukes came 3rd overall. The best 13 year old to ever play in the Independence Blitz. Other kids his age does not come close. A young talented lad who does not disappoint. He has a passion for chess like no-one else his age in Namibia.

He was not the only star from the TWCA camp. We had Keisha Van Wyk who won the 2nd best women prize in the Independence Blitz. Another girl who shines when the going gets tough.

Then we have our u/18 Junior Champion, Christopher Ndoroma. Who won the under 20 section ahead of his peers.

Congratulations to all three our students. Keep on pushing and the hard work will surely be rewarded.