Alexander u.16 SA chess champ
Alexander van der Merwe is the u.16 South African chess champion and qualified for the 2021 FIDE Online World Cadets and Youth Rapid World Cup.
Van der Merwe, a gr 10 Paul Roos Gymnasium learner, won the u.16 open category of the online South African junior closed chess championship. Due to Covid-19, the tournament to select the top chess player in South Africa per age category had to happen online. The tournament consisted of a two-day qualifying tournament on 10 and 11 July where the top 32 players competed in 4 groups.
The top 4 players of each group advanced to the knock-out tournament on 17 and 18 July. Van der Merwe ended top in his group during the qualifying tournament and advanced to the final of the knock-out. The fiercely contested knock-outs saw the 16 best players compete over two days. Alexander progressed to the final which he won to claim the first place.
Van der Merwe, as the winner of the u.16 national title, will be awarded national colours and will represent South Africa in his age group. He has been selected to represent South Africa at the 2021 FIDE Online World Cadets & Youth Rapid World Cup that will take place online from 1 to 31 August 2021 in two stages. His win also keeps him at the top of the u.18 Grand Prix points list.
