The African Continental Stage of the FIDE/ISCF World Schools Team Chess Championship came to a memorable conclusion in Stellenbosch, South Africa, as Uganda’s Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School emerged as the continental champions, after an outstanding unbeaten campaign.
Joined on the podium by Kenya’s Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School and South Africa’s Welgemoed Primary School, the three schools secured Africa’s qualification spots for the World Schools Team Championship Grand Final scheduled for December.
Hosted at the Coetzenburg Centre, the championship brought together 26 school teams from 22 African countries in the first-ever African edition of the continental stage. Beyond the fierce competition across the chessboards, the tournament celebrated friendship, cultural exchange, and the growing impact of chess in education across the continent through workshops, masterclasses, quizzes, and interactive activities that kept players engaged throughout the week.
Organized by the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) and FIDE, in partnership with the African Chess Confederation and Chess South Africa, the championship enjoyed the support of Freedom Holding Corp., the General Partner of the ISCF. Under the leadership of Freedom Holding Corp. CEO and ISCF President Timur Turlov, the organization continues to invest significantly in expanding educational chess opportunities worldwide, making continental championships such as the African stage possible for hundreds of young players.
Uganda Finish Unbeaten to Claim the Continental Title
The final day began with Uganda’s Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School and Kenya’s Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School tied at the top of the standings on 10 match points after six rounds.
Both favourites maintained their momentum in Round 7. Uganda swept Madagascar’s Lycée Privé Hibiscus 4-0, while Kenya defeated Namibia’s Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool 3-1 to remain level heading into the decisive final round.
With the Swiss pairing system preventing another meeting between the two leaders, the championship would be decided by their performances in separate matches.
Uganda produced another commanding display, defeating South Africa’s Holy Cross Primary School 3½-½ to finish on 14 match points from a possible 16. Their remarkable campaign featured six victories, two drawn matches, and an impressive 24½ game points—the highest score recorded in the tournament.
Speaking after lifting the continental trophy, team coach Patrick Mukasa reflected on what the victory meant for both the players and their community.
I’m so humbled for this fantastic performance. I believe in my boys because we are the top seed, the best in the country, the best in the region. These are kids from an academy in the ghetto, disadvantaged kids, vulnerable to all the problems that come with that. I trained them so that they can get the opportunities that come with chess. Chess is improving them, they are moving around the world, and I’m so proud that wonderful brains from such areas can serve our country and the entire world.
– Patrick Mukasa
Mukasa is also the founder of the Kamwokya Teens Chess Club and Academy, where the young champions train.
Kenya Earn Silver, South Africa Celebrate Bronze
Kenya entered the final round needing victory to keep pressure on Uganda but were held to a tense 2-2 draw by Zimbabwe’s Budiriro 4 Primary School after appearing to control the match. The result left the Kenyan side with the silver medals, capping an excellent tournament.
One of the heartwarming stories of the championship came from the Kenyan squad, where siblings Davidson, Trevor and Patricia Waweru competed together, sharing not only a silver-medal finish but also the unique experience of representing their school and country as a family.
The race for the final qualification place also went down to the wire. South Africa’s Welgemoed Primary School drew 2-2 against Namibia after a tense final game, but the single match point they secured proved sufficient to edge Holy Cross Primary School by one point and claim the bronze medal, ensuring the host nation will also be represented at the Grand Final.
Final Team Standings
Gold: Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School (Uganda)
Silver: Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School (Kenya)
Bronze: Welgemoed Primary School (South Africa)
The top three schools will represent Africa at the World Schools Team Championship Grand Final in December, where they will face the strongest qualifying teams from the Asian, American and European Continental Stages.
A Celebration of African School Chess
The closing ceremony celebrated not only the champions but every participant who made history by competing in the first African Continental Stage of the World Schools Team Championship. Players, coaches, officials and parents gathered for the final evening, which featured a highlights presentation, cultural performances, medal ceremonies and messages of appreciation to the organizations that made the event possible.
Special recognition was given to Freedom Holding Corp. for its continued commitment to global chess development, alongside the African Chess Confederation, Chess South Africa, the Western Cape Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Stellenbosch University and ChessBase. Their collective support helped deliver a landmark championship that showcased the tremendous growth of school chess across Africa.
As Uganda lifted the championship trophy to a standing ovation and the country’s national anthem echoed through the venue, the curtain came down on a historic week that united young chess players from across the continent through competition, education and cultural exchange.
With the African Continental Stage concluded, attention now turns to the American Continental Stage in San José, Costa Rica, from August 11 to 16, before the world’s best qualifying school teams meet once again at the World Schools Team Championship Grand Final in December.
