Alexander van der Merwe, a learner of Paul Roos Gymnasium, has been crowned the national over-the-board chess champion, after winning the u-18 section of the South African Junior Closed Chess Championship in Centurion during the school holidays. The tournament was contested over 11 rounds – two rounds per day – over a six-day period. It was gruelling with some games lasting up to four hours and longer. Alexander was most highly rated player in the tournament and won the u-18 section with a score of 10,5 out of 11 – two and a half points clear of his nearest opponent. He dominated the competition and was crowned champion with a round to spare – an unprecedented feat for such a prestigious tournament, which is always fiercely contested. The tournament was the first over the board national tournament since 2019.Photo: Nic de Jager/INTERAKT
Over-the-board chess champ
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