News & Updates
Stay informed with the latest tournament results, player achievements, and stories from the African chess community.
Cape Town Chess League Just Got Easier
A free league tracker built by ACL president Shaun Somai brings Cape Town's club chess fixtures, results, standings and team performance into one place — for players, parents and captains.
By African Chess Lounge
Why Companies Invest in Chess: From Sponsorship to Long-Term Impact
The FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 African Continental Stage in Stellenbosch showed how sponsorship of a chess event can evolve into a broader investment — in education, children's access to international competition, and the infrastructure of school chess.
By African Chess Lounge
Cape Town, with Support from Freedom Holding Corp., to Host Continental Stage of World Schools Chess Championship
Cape Town will host the first-ever African continental stage of the World Schools Team Chess Championship (WSTC) from July 6–11, 2026 — a historic milestone for chess on the continent, supported by Freedom Holding Corp. and part of FIDE's Year of Chess in Education 2026.
By African Chess Lounge
5th Curro Durbanville Youth Rapid 2026 — Registration Now Open
The African Chess Lounge invites youth players from across the Western Cape to compete in the 5th edition of the Curro Durbanville Youth Rapid. A CHESSA-rated rapid event packed with prizes, competitive sections, and elite chess action. Registration closes Sunday, 7 June 2026.
By African Chess Lounge
ACL Chess Academy Dominates SAJCCC 2026
3 National Champions, 8 international qualifiers, and 19 players competing — ACL Chess Academy delivered a historic multi-section performance at the South African Junior Closed Chess Championships 2026.
By African Chess Lounge
The 6 Thinking Levels: How Children Think & Learn Through Chess
Discover how chess naturally supports each stage of cognitive development through Bloom's Taxonomy - from remembering moves to creating new strategies.
By African Chess Lounge
Kick Off 2026 with Trials Preparation Workshop and Rapid - January 24th!
Start your chess season strong! Join us for a power-packed day of learning and competition with expert trainers and a CHESSA-rated rapid tournament.
By African Chess Lounge
ACL Club Session Recap: New Members Join & Tournament Highlights - January 10, 2026
African Chess Lounge welcomed five new members to the club this weekend, followed by an exciting 4-round tournament that saw Weideman Janko claim first place with a perfect score.
By African Chess Lounge
How to Calculate in Chess: A Practical Guide for Every Player
Most chess players believe calculation is about seeing many moves ahead. In reality, strong calculation is about seeing the right moves, in the right order, with discipline. Calculation is not talent—it is a trainable thinking process.
By Reuben Salimu, FIDE Instructor