Report by Dr Lyndon Bouah
The 2022 SA Closed is heading for an exciting finish tomorrow at the Newlands Cricket ground! One can nearly say that some players must protect their wickets while others are going for sixes IPL style! In the picture accompanying this article one can see Daniel Barrish trying to push hard against Banele Mhango.
Daniel Cawdrey is currently leading the 2022 SA Closed with some folks trying to catch him but being a little too far behind. The youngsters have certainly caused some upsets and one can even say that they caught some players leg before wicket! There has been some exciting chess played in the Women’s section, with some decisive games in the last two rounds! It was some fast paced bowling certainly from a number of players.
Tonight I watched the games from the comfort of my lounge. As I am typing, 4-time champion IM Watu Kobese in the picture is pressing against FM Shabier Bhawoodien. Dr Bhawoodien won the 2003 World Amateur Championship and is a wily customer. He often keeps tricks in his bag and Watu will have to be careful of the good doctor who often loves to perform root canals 9n his opponents position!
Tomorrow I shall get up early, put my bat and pads on and head to Newlands to watch the last overs of play. The last round, in cricket called bowling at the death, should be exciting as a lot rides on the results. The tension will be palpable.
I will be accompanied by my friend Lorenzo Van Niekerk the inventor of Paradigm Chess. We intend having our own tea break at 11h15 ( in the true cricket tradition) and then at 12h30 we will break for lunch as well. When one is at a cricket, one must follow the rules you know. Alas there will be no Castle Corner, as per tradition, but I am sure there will be many casting moves in the offing!
Cricketers are fond of saying that they left it all on the field. I am sure that tomorrow our chess players will say they left it all at the Newlands Cricket Ground!. I am looking forward to seeing Mark Lewis probably getting his Second SA Closed senior title! He has played a good innings! Stephen Gallied has also impressed and his combination against Goosen tonight was one for the ages.
I am also looking forward to the young Turkey Chloe Badenhorst playing Defending Champion WIM Jesse February. Chloe Badenhorst played a lovely game against Rebecca Selkirk tonight. Chloe caught Rebecca’s King in the centre and with some deft knight moves bowled around the wicket to secure the win!! So lots to look forward to in the morrow. Do follow the games as we have some exciting chess starting at 10h00am!
Dr Lyndon Bouah is an advocate and was captain of the South African Open team during the 2018 Batumi Olympiad. He is also one of Africa’s most prolific chess writers.
2022 South African Closed Chess Championship on chess-results.com.
Reflection on GM Kenny Solomon by Dr Lyndon Bouah.
Reflection on IM Aderito Pedro by Dr Lyndon Bouah.
GM Kenny Solomon’s visit to Kenya.
