Chess is a cerebral sport played by hundreds of millions of people worldwide and is quite possibly the most popular amateur sporting pastime in most countries across the globe.  South Africa is no different and a vast variety of chess websites, newsletters, publications and organisation exist. Yet, as a professional sport, chess suffers from the same malady that afflicts too many of our sporting codes: a lack on financial investment.

Former multiple South African Chess Champion IM Watu Kobese pinpointed the problem in an interview with The Chess Drum website: ‘the problem in South Africa is that we do not have a Grandmaster yet. The government grants support, in any sport, only when it offers a possibility of publicity. For chess, it is necessary that one has a Grandmaster to attract attention.’

Despite this South Africa continues to churn out many promising junior chess talents, the best of whom end up living and competing overseas where the competition is tougher and recognition and sponsorship that much easier to come by.

Links:

 • For further information visit the official Chess South Africa website
at www.chessa.co.za
 • Visit the excellent The Chess Drum site at www.thechessdrum.net