South Africa’s Charlize van Zyl is in Toronto for the FIDE Candidates Tournament. She has granted us permission to use her chess content. She posted some beautiful pictures on social media and we could not help sharing those with you.

Here is a recent Facebook post from Charlize and the accompanying pictures as well:

Some special Candidates snippets

The days are long, the walking is a lot (if only you knew how big this venue was ), but the vibes are amazing.

I love Toronto, and I love being here.

Thanks to those following along, there’s a lot more to come – so stay tuned!!

Michał Walusza

Charlize, who is a Woman International Master (WIM), is fresh from the 2024 SA Women’s Closed Chess Championships where she came second. Jesse February won the SA Women’s Closed Champion.

Sadly, Charlize forfeited one of her games at the Closed as she had to rush to Canada for the FIDE Candidates tournaments. Charlize was recently appointed as FIDE’s PR and Marketing Manager.

Here is what she posted about her experience at the end of the Women’s Closed:

” South African Championships 2024
I had a rocky start but overall good performance with 9/10 points (two draws, no losses), +28 rating gain, and some crazy games!! Unfortunately, I have to depart early to leave for Canada (my next exciting journey).

The tournament organizers agreed to allow me to play my final two games earlier on the condition that my opponents agreed. My last-round opponent kindly agreed, and we played our game on the second day—which I won. Unfortunately, my second-last-round opponent could not accommodate my request, so I have to default that point. This is quite sad as it would have been the deciding game for the national title. But everything happens in its own time.

The other players still have two games left, but I am in definite second place and in the team for the Chess Olympiad that will take place in Budapest later this year.

Thanks for all the support and love over this last week

Now I’m off to Toronto to present for FIDE at the Candidates – the biggest tournament of the year. Let’s gooo ”