Bank Windhoek Kehat Beukes Chess tourney attracts large field 

The Bank Windhoek Kehat Beukes Chess Tournament that took place at Swakopmund over the weekend attracted 70 participants, including competitors from Botswana and Zimbabwe.

But it was Namibian players who dominated the tournament played as a nine-round Swiss-system, with the rate of play being 25 minutes per player and three second increment per move starting from move one. Awarded as Chess Candidate Master, Dion Moyo says participating in the tournament for the third time was fantastic.

Having now won the tournament twice, both as a chess player and a coach, Moyo says this edition was the strongest and provided tricky tests. “The contingent from Botswana was strong.

The participation of Botswana, the current NCF president and the current National Chess Champion has added rating strength to this tournament,” Moyo says. Atlang Mosweu, who was awarded as Women Candidate Master, enjoyed the competition.

“It was a great experience playing in the tournament and allowed me to learn from my mistakes.”

Daniel and Dawid Du Toit won the cadet and youth sections. Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) president Goodwill Khoa says Bank Windhoek’s ongoing support enables the growth of chess in Namibia, which he is excited to see unfold further.The tournament’s chief organiser, Charles Eichab, thanked Bank Windhoek for sponsoring Namibia’s oldest-running chess tournament. He says many chess players look forward to the tournament because it is a holiday event that serves a positive purpose — to honour its late founder, Kehat Beukes, and enhance the sport of chess within the country.