Chess Grandmaster to visit Nelson Mandela Bay

Chess Grandmaster Susan Polgar will grace the South African Junior Chess Championship to be held in Nelson Mandela Bay from 12 to 22 December.

The championship, to be held at the NMMU sports centre, will bring together about 2000 players from around the country.

“It is truly special for our city will host such a notable personality in the chess world. Polgar has many records under her belt and her presence in the friendly city will inspire many young players in South Africa,” said Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism marketing manager Titus Chuene.

Grandmaster Polger was the first woman to qualify for the “men’s” World Championship and earned her Grandmaster title in 1991. She became the world number one woman chess player at the age of 15 and remained in the top three for nearly 23 years. She has won ten Olympic medals and four Women’s World Championships.

She is also the only Grandmaster in the history of the game to win the Triple Crown; Rapid, Blitz and Classical World Championships.

The tournament in Nelson Mandela Bay will feature the best of provincial teams from around the country.
The tournament is being hosted by the Port Elizabeth Chess fraternity, which has in recent months been working at developing the game in schools around Nelson Mandela Bay.