An anti-bullying chess tournament was held to raise awareness | So Good News

The Ipeleng Cares Foundation (ICF) Leaders Against Bullying took part in the first ever professional chess tournament held on Saturday 5th November at the FNB Campus in Fairland.

In collaboration with ICF, Chess Heroes, a private tutoring agency, planned an anti-bullying chess tournament and invited more than 150 children from various chess clubs to participate in a 55-minute (5-round) competition.

According to the organizers, bullying is increasing, and awareness activities are not being carried out at a sufficient level.

Chess Heroes were impressed by the ICF’s use of chess as an anti-bullying activity and embarked on a course to recruit sponsors to support and promote chess as an anti-bullying agent.

Although the leaders were not yet ranked players, they had first-hand experience playing CHESSSA-ranked players and national chess champions against their age group.

Some leaders such as Tsebo Mofokeng, currently Chess Player of the Year in the Anti-Bullying Leaders Program, scored 3.5 out of 5 in the U14 category.

Tsebo said the biggest hurdle at first was keeping track of the record and keeping track of the timer while playing, which he wasn’t used to.

Lindelani Mutawhasindi, the current Anti-Bullying Leader of the Year 2021, has been recognized for her work with the U18s.

The children were also given lunch by FNB, ICF also received 15 chess mats and pieces sponsored by the foundation’s Flerhof Community Chess Club, which meets every Friday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

This is all done by Chess Heroes and its respective partners, FNB and SWGC attorneys Inc.

“We are extremely grateful to Chess Heroes founder Korno Claver, who is very interested in helping kids develop and get the resources they need to get started, such as chess mats and pieces.

“It will still be a long road for the leaders, but they are excited, looking forward and very eager to be the best of the best,” said ICF founder Ipeleng Mofokeng.