TWCA Students scoop most medals at Zone 3 Schools Individual Chess Championships 2020

TWCA Medal winners.

A wonderful sight it was to have all the participants battling it out over the chessboard. Saturday 7 March 2020 was one of many successful chess tournaments for our students.

They 12 medals in total:

Keisha-Cathriona Van Wyk - Girls u17 - Gold
Aldo Horn - Boys u17 - Gold

Lure Horn - Girls u15 - Gold
Jacques Knouwds - Boys u15 - Silver

Lilian Jansen - Girls u13 - Gold
WCM Jamie-Nicole Beukes - Girls u13 - Silver

WCM Ottilie Hinda - Girls u11 - Gold

Shali Itembu - Boys u11 - Gold
Sibusiso Angula - Boys u11 - Gold

Isabella Mouton - Girls u9 - Gold
Gabriella Mouton - Girls u9 - Silver

Hannah Mouton - Girls u7 - Gold.

Worth mentioning is the special achievement of Lilian Jansen winning the combined u13,u15& u17 girls section, and Hannah Mouton winning the combined u7 & u9 girls section with a perfect score of 7/7.

A big thank you to the NCF for organizing one of the best events with the best conditions for young children. Thank you to all our parents for your continued support.

Dante Beukes becomes an International Master!

The Champ IM Dante in the middle flanked by his 

Opponents and Parents

The AYCC 2019 was an event that most of Namibia were looking forward to. Many youngsters had aspirations to become chess masters or end up on the podium. There was one young man who was poised to win gold and an International Master Title.

In round 6 he had probably his most difficult match, but he remained focused on the ultimate prize the tournament can offer and bounced back. Dante was awarded his gold medal, trophies and the International Master Title in a very rapturous, explosive,  ceremony. He was congratulated with thunderous applause by an elation filled crowd. Namibia has definitely competed in his section. To make it more rewarding he played in a section higher than his age group. Here is how it was described on the AYCC 2019 facebook page.

“It was surreal! Spontaneous, rapturous and sustained applause sent chills through the very crowd from which it erupted, unable to restrain themselves!

The celebration started well before and indeed continued all throughout the announcement of Namibia's own Dante Beukes' achievements at the 2019 AYCC.

Namibia might only have won one of the available 36 medals, but Dante ensured it was the most valuable one of all!
Eligible to play in Under 16, he played a level up, winning gold for a 1st place finish in the Under 18 Open section, and now the chess player formerly known as a Fide Master is officially Namibia's first-ever International Master!

What's more, with his ELO rating being high enough, he was awarded the Direct Title!

Congratulations IM Dante Matthew Beukes”

Dante during the AYCC 2019

Dante is on a mission and he will achieve his objectives. We are looking forward to what else this young lad will achieve.  You make us proud Dante and definitely inspires us all to be better at this beautiful game chess. I wish you the greatest of success with your chess career, IM Dante Beukes.