The City of Cape Town’s annual Chess@Libraries Tournament came to a thrilling finale at the Kenilworth Racecourse on Thursday, 1 October. The tournament once again demonstrated the power of libraries to inspire learning, growth and community connection as participants from libraries across the metro gathered for the finals.
The Chess@Libraries initiative, is a longstanding partnership between the City’s Library and Information Services Department, the Department of Cultural Affairs & Sport, the Cape Town Chess Federation and several committed partners who share a vision of creating opportunities for young people through education, mentorship and skills development.
This year’s tournament finals brought together nearly 180 young competitors representing approximately 40 libraries from across Cape Town.
Following months of local competitions hosted at participating libraries, finalists competed for top honours in a celebration of skill, perseverance and sportsmanship.
‘What began as a recreational library programme has evolved into one of the City’s most successful community development initiatives, bringing together young people from diverse communities through healthy competition and lifelong learning. The benefits of learning and playing chess includes improving problem solving, critical and strategic thinking and memory. All while having fun playing the game.
‘Congratulations to the winners who walked away with the honours. Well done to everyone who learned how to play and participated in the rounds. It is encouraging to see the sport grow and no doubt we have many more future champions waiting to get on the board,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Cllr Francine Higham.
The tournament results were as follows:
Experienced Section (players who have Chess South Africa ratings):
- 1st place – Lutho Mfazwe, Delft Library
- 2nd place – Tezihano Mnyasta, Parow Library
- 3rd place – Prince Ngombo, Parow Library
- Best Female Player – Imikhitha Joya, Crossroads Library
Developmental Section (first-time or beginner players):
- 1st place – Banele Mbatha, Cape Town Central Library
- 2nd place – Tom Lunga, Masiphumelele Library
The tournament’s success reflects the growing impact of chess in public libraries across the city. Chess has proven to be far more than a game.
Across participating libraries, it has become a tool for developing concentration, analytical thinking, decision-making and confidence, while creating opportunities for recreation and personal growth.
Among the initiative’s partners are the St Columbus Trust, HG Transport and Game Changers NPC, which uses chess as a platform to identify and develop learners’ mathematics, problem-solving and STEM potential.
Supported by Ward Councillor Emile Langenhoven, the Chess@Libraries Tournament has evolved beyond competition into a broader educational pathway.
‘As a founding member of Game Changers NPC, it has been an honour to support the Chess@Libraries Tournament. This initiative is about more than just chess, it creates a vital pathway from the game to STEM education. The 2026 city finals brought together young competitors from libraries in largely under-resourced communities. Through our partnership with the Schools Turnaround Foundation, we are proud to provide 30 of these learners with a full year of mathematics tutoring in 2027, proving how government, civil society and the private sector can collaborate to unlock real academic opportunities for our youth,’ said Councillor Langenhoven
The participating libraries included: Avondale, Bellville, Central, Crossroads, Delft, Du Noon, Durbanville, Goodwood, Gordon’s Bay, Grassy Park, Gugulethu, Harare, Heideveld, Kensington, Khayelitsha, Kloof Street, Koeberg, Kraaifontein, Langa, Lentegeur, Maitland, Mamre, Masiphumelele, Meadowridge, Moses Mabhida, Nazeema Isaacs, Parow, Pinelands, Rocklands, Scottsdene, Southfield, Tafelsig, Tokai, Town Centre, Weltevreden, Woodstock, Wynberg libraries.
