Swaziland is set for a historic chess event in May. The 2017 Phela-Live Chess Challenge will be the highest paying event in the history of Swaziland chess. The event has been made possible thanks to the collaboration between Phela-Live gymn who have partnered with Kasparov Chess Foundation Africa (KCF Africa) and the Swazi chess Federation. The author cannot recall such a high paying chess event in the kingdom.
The Phela-Live Chess challenge will have at least R33,000 in prize money and have been an incredible first prize of R10, 000 rands in open section. You’ve got to be in it to win it and chess players will be burning the midnight oil over the coming weeks to perfect their moves as they prepare for the Phela-Live Chess Challenge in Swaziland.
One of the partners behind the event, KCF Africa has been instrumental in the sharp rise in rated chess events in Africa over the past years. Speaking about the event Director at KCF Africa, Graham Jurgensen said, It will come as no surprise towards end of May as chess players in their numbers make their way to the Kingdom for a shot at the top right of the chess tournament.
Foreign based players who require affordable accommodation in Manzini can contact Mr Melo Mdluli the President of the Swazi Chess Federation to make arrangements. Accommodation starts at a very reasonable. R150 ppp/n sharing.
The Open section will be rated by URS and FIDE. Registration for both the Open and Development sections close on the 25th May 2017. Registration for the Blitz event closes on the 27th of May. Latest FIDE Rules will apply.
Entry Fee
For such a healthy prize fund the entry fee is very low. Entry fee for the Open is E200 (R200) and just E50 (E50) for the blitz event.
Online Entries:
All players wishing to participate are required to register online at
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFiMcRDdy_j-XaISiLUugo_6M3GEo6B_-WC2lQbnxyshIUxw/viewform
Queries/ Accommodation:
Please direct all queries and requests for accommodation to Mr Melo Mdluli at swazichess@gmail.com or at +268 76738899 / +268 76033919
Arbiters:
The arbiters for the tournament will be FA Ts’eliso Motloheloa from Lesotho and FA Msibi Dumsane from Swaziland
More information
The official tournament brochure can be downloaded from the KCF Africa website.