The 2024 South Africa closed chess championship 2024 kicked off on Monday 25 March 2024 with the first round at Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town.
The first round in the open section was very competitive. The top-seeded FM Calvin Klaasen (Rtg average 2155) scored a victory over FM Michael Simpson (Rtg average 2093) who is the 12th seed in the championship.
IM Jan Karsten (Rtg average 2323) earned a draw against championship 2nd seed Charlton Mnyasta (Rtg 2123) same with the games between CM Keith Khumalo (Rtg average 2079) and Jacob Mnguni (Rtg 2134) and IM Daniel Cawdery ( Rtg average 2380) over IM Watu Kobese (Rts average 2268).
Ranked 4th in the starting list FM Banele Mhango did not prevail against FM Daniel Barrish whilst FM Caleb Levitan secured a victory over championship 5th seed Lutho Mfazwe.
A few surprising results marked the start of the ladies competition. Ranked first on the starting rank list WIM Chalize van Zyl (Rtg average 1909) played a draw against 12th-seeded Jacqui Grobbelaar (Rtg 1726).
Fresh from winning her second African Individual Chess Championship title, WIM Jesse February started the championships with a victory over WFM Chloe Badenhorst. It was a smooth day for Chishomo Boshoma who defeated Imkhita Joya. Robyn Klassen clinched a victory over Bea van Zyl. WIM Anzel Laubscher was held to a draw by Davida Strong.