Erongo schools champs produce national qualifiers
The Erongo Regional Schools Individual Chess Championships were recently staged at Namibi High School in Swakopmund to select the top three players in each category for a national showdown in May.
Held under the auspices of the Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) and main sponsor Bank Windhoek, the annual event previously operated under a zonal system.
It has now adopted a regional championship structure as part of the NCF’s efforts to enhance the tournament’s visibility.
The Erongo regional event, formerly referred to as Zone Four, attracted more than 180 players who battled it out in a seven-round Swiss system tournament for top honours.
Players competed across the U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U17 and U19 Open and girls’ sections for medals and a chance to finish among the top three and represent the region at the national championships.
In the U19 Open section, Xavier Amutenya of the International School of Walvis Bay claimed the gold medal ahead of Ricky Nangolo of S. I. !Gobs Senior Secondary School, who took silver, while Tulinependa Shikomba of Duinesig High School secured bronze.
The girls’ section had only two entries, with Skyler Snydewel of Namib High School finishing ahead of S. I. !Gobs’ Jovial Goreses.
Other outstanding achievements
U17 Open: 1 Ashron Damens (Pro-ed Academy), 2 Flordian Dirkse (Walvis Bay Private School), 3 Almario Ganaseb (Usakos Junior Secondary School).
U17 girls: 1 Amelia Brown (Private School Swakopmund), 2 Ruzaan Möller (Namib High School), 3 Caylee Van Wyk (Eagles Nest Private Academy).
U15 Open: 1 Jathan Hangula (Private School Swakopmund), 2 Gustav Wilhelm (Riverside Private School), 3 Thomas Henderson (Pro-ed).
U15 girls: 1 Neriah Gwanyanya (Duneside High School), 2 Caydence Sutil (Logic Chess Club) (only participants).
U13 Open: 1 Ethan Innes (Pro-ed), 2 Reuben Petrus (Private School Swakopmund), 3 Justice Haidula (Riverside).
U13 girls: 1 Mariana Uusiku (Laerskool Walvis Bay), 2 Hadassah Adonis (Pro-ed), 3 Grace Dhila (Riverside Private School).
U11 Open: 1 Ethan Kalipi (Private School Swakopmund), 2 Paulino Samuel (Riverside Private School), 3 Gerhardus Johannes Visser (Walvis Bay Private School).
U11 girls: 1 Letty Ngula (Riverside), 2 VinaYe Lebusa (Private School Swakopmund), 3 Keli Hendricks (One Tree Montessori).
U9 Open: 1 George Dampfer (Riverside Private School), 2 Brave Uusiku (Laerskool Walvis Bay), 3 Akil de Klerk (One Tree Montessori).
U9 girls: 1 Sage Shiweva (One Tree Montessori), 2 Ayla-Khayani Kaure (One Tree Montessori), 3 Ndahafa Massipa (Riverside Private School).
U7 Open: 1 Max Qin (Golden Ludwig Kindergarten), 2 Easton Basson (Eagles Nest Private Academy), 3 Jayden Basson (Curious Minds).
U7 girls: 1 Zenande Kaure (One Tree Montessori), 2 Amyoli Tueutjiua (Pro-ed), 3 Andrea Shikongo (Pro-ed).
Flawless victories
In a statement issued by tournament director Israel Shilongo, he noted that six players dominated their sections unbeaten, collecting maximum points across all seven rounds.
The players were Max Qin in the U7 boys’ section, George Dampfer in boys U9, Letty Ngula in girls U11, Ethan Innes in boys U13, Amelia Brown in girls U17 and Xavier Amutenya in boys U19.
“Winning all seven rounds in a regional championship is an exceptional achievement that demonstrates strong preparation, resilience and composure under pressure. These players set a high benchmark for future editions of the tournament,” said Shilongo.
