Latest news with #MidrandChessClub
The Citizen
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Arham adds SA Open bronze to his cabinet
Chess has long been regarded as a game of strategy and intellect, captivating minds across generations. At the Midrand Chess Club, a fresh wave of young talent is revitalising the sport, with 14-year-old Arham Khalife leading the charge. As an exceptional player continuously honing his skills, Arham has been earning accolades and establishing a reputation on the national stage. His recent third-place finish in the U14 category at the 2025 South African Open Chess Championship highlights his emergence as a star in South African chess. Also read: Midrand Chess Club novices Arham and Teboho shine in official tournaments Earlier this year, he claimed three prestigious awards: gold medals at both the JMC Crawford International Tournament and the Mzansi Chess Academy Juniors Tournament, as well as a second-place finish in the B Section at the Chess Powerhouse Youth Day Rapid. Each of these victories has fuelled his passion and confidence. Recently, Arham competed in the South African Open, held at the University of Johannesburg during the June-July school holidays, which featured some of the country's top young chess players. The tournament consisted of five intense rounds that tested participants' strategic thinking, resilience, and psychological strength. Arham's performance was outstanding. He tied for third place in the U14 category with eight other players, finishing with four points after a series of challenging matches. His toughest game was against Daniel Mallach, a strong competitor who had previously won the Midrand Juniors League. Also read: Midrand Chess Club rising stars move their pieces in official tournaments Kgosimang Molefe, the club's coach, expressed pride in Arham's accomplishments, stating, 'That game [against Daniel] pushed Arham both strategically and psychologically.' Molefe emphasised the significance of achieving third place at such a prestigious tournament, saying, 'It is a major achievement and showcases the hard work and discipline Arham has put in. I always believed in his potential to excel against tough competition.' Arham's composure under pressure and ability to capitalise on small advantages stood out. He played mature, principled chess and demonstrated excellent tournament discipline. 'He is more methodical now. His opening choices are prepared, he calculates deeper in the middlegame, and he's grown more confident in tough positions. His overall maturity at the board has improved significantly.' Also read: Young Midrand Chess Club player garners two accolades in a week Molefe added that this achievement was a major morale boost and a clear sign that the club was on the right track. 'It shows our players can hold their own at the national level, and it gives the entire club something to celebrate and rally around.' The club's goal is to build on this momentum, keep players sharp, and push for qualification into more elite-level events. 'Arham's performance shows that hard work and focus pay off. It sends a message to other young players in our community that they, too, can compete and win medals at national tournaments.' Those who wish to join or sponsor Midrand Chess Club can contact Kgosimang Molefe on 073 494 3478 or email [email protected] Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Midrand Chess Club novices Arham and Teboho shine in official tournaments
The Midrand Chess Club continues to nurture and develop promising talent, with two of its young players recently making impressive strides in official tournaments. Arham Khalife (14) competed in the Chess Powerhouse Youth Day Rapid on June 16, while seven-year-old Teboho Ntseare participated in the JMC Blairgowrie Rapid on June 8. Both players showed significant progress and discipline. Arham performed exceptionally well, placing second in the B Section, a notable achievement considering the fast-paced 15-minute format. This was only Teboho's second tournament, and she finished seventh out of 18 competitors in the U8/U10 Combined Section. Despite facing tough competition, Teboho's resilience was particularly impressive, especially after a crucial comeback in Round Six following an early setback. Also read: Midrand Chess Club rising stars move their pieces in official tournaments Kgosimang Molefe, the club's coach, praised their growth and outlined the focus moving forward. 'We still need to review Arham's games, as they serve as preparation for the upcoming SA Open Championship this month. Teboho's resilience during Round Six was a testament to her improvement in managing nerves and game strategy, a key improvement from her Midrand League showing.' He emphasised that both players adhered to their training strategies, utilising familiar openings, managing their time effectively, and sharpening their tactical alertness. 'Arham executed this well, while Teboho worked on improving her board vision and time management, both areas where she made notable progress.' 'Arham is ready for tougher opponents and is on the verge of moving into higher-rated sections. Teboho is gaining confidence and beginning to understand tournament dynamics, which is a significant step for her age. Both players reflect the Midrand Chess Club's growing culture of commitment and competitiveness.' Also read: Midrand Chess Club's prodigy Arham Khalife wins gold at JMC Crawford International Tournament Looking ahead, the club plans to enhance training to meet the specific needs of each player. For Arham, the focus will shift toward complex middlegames and advanced tactics in preparation for facing tougher opponents. Teboho will continue to refine her calculation skills, visualisation techniques, and the management of tournament nerves to build her confidence and resilience. 'We are waiting for the release of the SA Open 2025 dates, after which the Midrand Chess Club's league and tournament calendar will resume. We are also scouting for new talent and will be hosting training intensives during the winter holidays.' Read more: Midrand Chess Club continues to inspire and empower local talent Molefe expressed pride in the progress of his players, particularly those from previously underrepresented areas. 'Their success is proof that, with the right support, local talent can rise and compete. We also extend our gratitude to the parents and the community for backing their journeys.' For those interested in supporting or joining the club, please contact Kgosimang Molefe at 073 494 3478 or via email at kgosi@ Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Midrand Chess Club rising stars move their pieces in official tournaments
The Midrand Chess Club continues to nurture and develop promising talent, with two of its young players recently making impressive strides in official tournaments. Arham Khalife (14) competed in the Chess Powerhouse Youth Day Rapid on June 16, while Teboho Ntseare (7) participated in the JMC Blairgowrie Rapid on June 8. Arham performed exceptionally well, placing second in the B section, a notable achievement considering the fast-paced 15-minute format. Read more: Young Midrand Chess Club player garners two accolades in a week This was only Teboho's second rated tournament, and she finished seventh out of 18 competitors in the U8/U10 combined section. Speaking to the club's coach, Kgosimang Molefe, he praised their growth and outlined the focus moving forward. 'We still need to review Arham's games, as they serve as preparation for the upcoming SA Open Championship this month. 'Teboho's resilience during round six was a testament to her improvement in managing nerves and game strategy, a key improvement from her Midrand League showing. 'Arham is ready for tougher opponents and is on the verge of moving into higher-rated sections. Teboho is gaining confidence and beginning to understand tournament dynamics, which is a significant step for her age. Both players reflect the Midrand Chess Club's growing culture of commitment and competitiveness.' The Midrand Chess Club's league and tournament calendar will resume after the SA Opens. The club is also scouting for new talent and will be hosting training intensives during the winter holidays. For those interested in supporting or joining the club, please contact Kgosimang Molefe at 073 494 3478 or via email at kgosi@ Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Young Midrand Chess Club player garners two accolades in a week
When the Midrand Chess Club reopened its doors after a hiatus due to COVID-19, it pledged to nurture its youth players. This commitment is evident in the achievements of their young talent, Arham Khalife, who recently earned two accolades. Read more: Midrand Chess Club's prodigy Arham Khalife wins gold at JMC Crawford International Tournament Arham secured a gold medal at the JMC Crawford International Tournament on May 10, but his remarkable performance did not end there. Just a week later, on May 18, he triumphed again, securing another gold medal and a trophy at the Mzansi Chess Academy Juniors Tournament, held at The Bridge School in Lonehill. The 14-year-old Waterfall City-based chess player was the only representative from the Midrand Chess Club this time around, excelling by winning all five rounds he competed in, boasting a rating of 1244. Also read: Midrand Chess Club continues to inspire and empower local talent The club's coach, Kgosimang Molefe, highlighted the importance of these tournaments in developing young talent. 'They provide exposure, sharpen competitive skills, and offer official ratings that allow players to track their progress and qualify for higher-level events. 'Arham delivered another flawless performance, achieving a score of 5/5 and walking away with both a gold medal and a trophy. This marks his second consecutive gold medal in just two weeks, showcasing his consistent excellence. The club is immensely proud of him – his growth reflects the strength of our development programme.' The club believes that Arham's back-to-back gold medal achievements will lead to a significant increase in his rating. 'More importantly, his journey inspires our other juniors, sending a strong message that the future of the Midrand Chess Club is bright,' Molefe concluded. The club practices at Halfway House Primary School on weekends. Those who would like to join, or sponsor, can contact coach Kgosimang Molefe on 073 494 3478, email: kgosi@ or visit: Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Youngsters from New Jerusalem Childrens Home join the Midrand Chess Club for a practice session At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Midrand Chess Club continues to inspire and empower local talent
Midrand Chess Club is on a mission to bridge the gap between township talent and competitive opportunities, aiming to propel local players to success on national and international stages. The club is thrilled to announce that three of its outstanding players will compete in the Moja Chess Extravaganza, one of Africa's most prestigious chess tournaments. This event highlights the growing prominence of chess within the community and showcases the exceptional talent nurtured by the club and will take place from April 26 to May 1. Coach Kgosimang Molefe believes that the advent of streaming has revolutionised chess, transforming it from a quiet, solitary pursuit into an engaging, social experience that appeals to a wide audience. Also read: Youngsters from New Jerusalem Children's Home join the Midrand Chess Club for a practice session 'Streaming has injected life into chess, making it interactive and enjoyable for everyone,' said Molefe. He noted the growth of online platforms, innovative school programmes, and active community outreach initiatives had made chess accessible to countless individuals, allowing it to become a game that welcomes all. Despite the progress made, challenges remain, particularly in under-resourced areas. Molefe identified significant barriers to participation that players often face, such as registration fees, equipment costs, and travel expenses for tournaments. He emphasised the need for support from sponsors, local federations, and partnerships with schools and NGOs to effectively address these obstacles and foster a more inclusive chess community. Also read: Midrand Chess Club continues its commitment to nurture young minds through the sport of chess While chess is fundamentally based on logic and calculation, Molefe said great players also relied on intuition to make quick, effective decisions, especially under pressure. 'Emotional intelligence is key; it can enhance judgment or cloud it.' He stressed the importance of maintaining composure, controlling nerves, and trusting one's preparation, even in challenging positions. Molefe's mission extends beyond merely cultivating chess skills; he aims to foster critical thinking, discipline, and self-confidence in all players. He is determined to establish more community-based chess programmes, particularly for children who lack access to traditional training. Read more: Accomplished chess player Peter Letsoalo visits Midrand Chess Club training session Additionally, the South African Open Championships will be hosted at the University of Johannesburg, and Molefe encouraged more players to participate in this event and called upon sponsors to increase their support. The club holds practices at Halfway House Primary School and actively welcomes new players to join this dynamic community. For those interested in sponsorship opportunities or wanting to be part of the club, Kgosimang Molefe can be contacted at 073 494 3478 or via email at kgosi@ More detailed information is also available on the club's website at Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
