It was a hive activity today at Waterkloof Chess Open. There were over 450 registered chess players taking part in the tournament. The tournament was played across various categories from sections A, B, C to the Prestige Section. Being played over 6 rounds, the tournament was very tight  and a loss of even half a point would be enough to drop several players in the table.

Given the number of cars around Waterkloof High School in Pretoria today, one could have been forgiven for thinking that there was a concert taking place. Supportive parents accompanied their chess playing kids to the tournament and waited patiently and with great expectation as the rounds were played. Once the play started, it was very quiet as boys and girls, men and women sought to outwit each other across the sixty-four squares.

Below is an interview with Founder and Owner of Minichess and Trustee at Moves for Life, Marisa van der Merwe.

Here are more pictures from the event