Cape Town: Chess@Libraries has been recorded as the biggest event yet with 150 players on board at the final tournament. The 2024 Chess tournament was observed in Parow on Friday, September 27, 2024.
City of Cape Town libraries held several rounds throughout the year to determine the finalists. David Baxter from Durbanville Library emerged out as the winner of the champion title and Phelisa Ntabeni from Crossroads Library was crowned as the top female chess player of the tournament.
Romeo Raubenheimer from Adriaanse Library was honoured with the second place, while Llewellyn Louw from Parow Library stood third.
Chess is a very popular sport and has been a fixture at some City of Cape Town Libraries for several years. It has been growing in number and participants gradually. This year also the event saw registration of 31 libraries to participate in the tournament.
As per the sources, last year there were 70 participants. The Libraries held a mini tournaments throughout the year, before the finals arrived at the Parow Civic Centre.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Patricia Van der Ross said that Chess is often thought of as a sport for brainiacs and not very exciting, but the increasing popularity paints a different picture. The clubs and tournaments are growing and the finals was a nail-biting event.
She said that there isn’t a better place than libraries for chess. Aside from the quiet spaces City of Cape Town provides it with a fact that the entire concept of chess@libraries is the brain child of one of our librarians, Daniel Arendse, who noticed children crowding around chess tables and saw the potential.
According to Councillor Ross, the tournament is a culmination of the hard work librarians, players and role players put into the sport.
Considering this, the senior librarian at Huguenot Square Library – Arendse said that chess saved his life. He said, “I was on a track to become a non-productive member of society, I had no focus and vision for my future.”
“Then I discovered this amazing game of strategy and suddenly endless possibilities opened up for me. I know chess can have the same impact on the lives of others, so I want to encourage them to come to the library and get involved,” said Arendse.
Councillor Patricia Van der Ross lauded all the librarians, players and stake holders. She further stated that Chess is more than a game and so many have come on board to ensure the tournament is a success.
“Playing chess exercises both sides of the brain and helps to develop problem-solving skills. I want to encourage our patrons to join the chess clubs. Make the right move and get on the board with us,” added Ross.