Chess champion looks to inspire the youth

Jolly-Joice Nepando’s outstanding performance at the recent Namibian National Chess Championships earned her the honour of the top female player in the country.

The nine-round event took place from 17 to 21 March at the Nictus Cultural Centre in Windhoek, where Nepando finished with a score of eight points, seven wins, and two draws, demonstrating not only true mastery of the game but also strategic moves and tactics that earned her a spot on the national team.

“My long-term goal is to become the number one female chess player in Africa,” says Nepando, who founded the Fianchetto Chess Academy along with Women Candidate Master (WCM) Lishen Mentile in 2017.

The academy was established to inspire mass participation in the sport among the youth.

“We both have an intense love for the game, hence, we wanted to pass on our chess knowledge to the next person, especially children because of its vast benefits,” she says, adding that part of their strategy is to get chess incorporated into the education curricula.

The benefits of chess include travelling the world for competitions like the upcoming African Individual Chess Championship in Egypt from 5 to 14 May.

“I had a unique experience in each of the tournaments. Not only have I gained more experience, it has also moulded me into a stronger player, and opened my mind to new cultures and different customs and backgrounds,” says Nepando.

She says her most memorable tournaments were in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2012; the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromzo, Norway, where she earned the WCM title; Baku, Azerbaijan (2016), Batumi, Georgia (2018), and Chennai, India (2022).
Nepando grew up at Soweto, Katutura, where she discovered the game of chess at Martti Ahtisaari Primary School.

“That is where I learned to play chess, I was taught by Mr Hindjou. I believe I was 11 years old at the time,” she says.

Nepando credits the sport for helping mould her into a well-rounded person, an experience she recommends for her compatriots.

“My words of encouragement to any aspiring chess player out there are: keep pushing yourself, never give up on your dreams and always strive for greatness. If you put in the effort, the results will come,” she said.

“The Fianchetto Chess Academy also wants to encourage aspiring chess players to take advantage of our programmes and learn how to master the game of chess,” she says.

“We have an experienced team that is available to help new students and we offer flexible classes, study plans, and tournaments for all levels. So, if you have been considering giving chess a try, now is your time. We offer private lessons, chess school lessons, group lessons and corporate team-building sessions using chess as a tool,” says Nepando, the Namibian female World Chess Olympiad record holder.

“We would like companies and individuals to invest in chess, partner with the Namibian Chess Federation, or chess academies around the country and work on life-changing projects,” Nepando, who matriculated at Abbotts College in Cape Town, South Africa, says.

She also coaches chess, using sign language for hearing-impaired pupils.

“I learnt how to use sign language at the University of Namibia. I felt it was important to learn sign language because I believe in inclusivity and making sure everyone has the opportunity to learn and excel at chess,” says Nepando.