When Africa’s brightest young chess players arrive in Stellenbosch on 6 July, they will be chasing more than victories on the chessboard.
Over the next week, the Africa Schools Team Chess Championship, which is the official African Qualifier for the FIDE World Schools Team Chess Championship, will become a celebration of education, leadership, and the life-changing power of chess.
From arrival on 6 July to departure on 12 July, eighteen (18) schools representing sixteen (16) African countries will compete for continental honours and the opportunity to represent Africa on the world stage.
The championship reflects the remarkable growth of school chess across the continent. From Nigeria to Namibia, Morocco to Madagascar, Kenya to São Tomé and Príncipe, young players will gather with one dream in common; to test themselves against Africa’s very best while creating friendships that transcend borders.
Representing Schools and Their Federations:
Colegio Arca do Saber (Mozambique), Bwaila Secondary School (Malawi), Platform School (Nigeria), Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool (Namibia), Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School (Kenya), St. Stephen’s Diocesan High School (Lesotho), The Learning Centre School (Botswana), Theophile Gautier School (Morocco), Budiriro 4 Primary School (Zimbabwe), Hillside High School (Eswatini), Aga Khan School (Tanzania), Lycée Privé Hibiscus (Madagascar), Indian School Lusaka (Zambia), Liceu Nacional Marina Santiago de Sousa (São Tomé and Príncipe), École Internationale de la Fondation Maarif (Burundi), alongside host nation South Africa’s Welgemoed Primary School, Virginia Preparatory School, and Holy Cross Primary School.
With more schools confirming their participation, the list might run over thirty (30+) schools by the start of the championship.
Beyond The Board
While the quest for qualification to the World Schools Team Chess Championship will be fiercely contested, the tournament has been intentionally designed to leave a lasting legacy beyond the competition.
On the 7th of July, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) will host a special community outreach programme at Paul Roos Gymnasium, welcoming approximately fifty learners from underserved schools in the Stellenbosch community.
The young learners will have the rare opportunity to interact with some of the most influential personalities in world chess, including FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, entrepreneur and chess patron Timur Turlov, as well as renowned Ugandan chess educator Robert Katende.
Katende’s story resonates far beyond the chessboard. Best known as the mentor of Ugandan chess star Phiona Mutesi, the inspiration behind Disney’s acclaimed Queen of Katwe; he has spent more than two decades (20+ years) using chess to empower children from disadvantaged communities through education, mentorship, and life skills. His work has become one of Africa’s finest examples of how chess can create opportunities where few previously existed.
During the outreach programme, students will hear inspiring presentations on how chess develops discipline, resilience, confidence, creativity, leadership, and critical thinking. Interactive chess sessions with the visiting dignitaries will give the learners an unforgettable experience while reinforcing the message that chess is far more than a competitive game, it is indeed a powerful tool for personal growth and social transformation.
The educational mission of the championship continues beyond the outreach programme through a series of side events and masterclasses hosted at the Lectorium of Stellenbosch University from 7th to 9th July. Players, coaches, teachers, parents, and guests will have opportunities to learn from leading figures in chess education, sports psychology, and chess history.
Among the highlights will be Robert Katende’s masterclass, “Chess as a Tool for Life Development,” where he will share practical lessons on using chess to build resilience, leadership, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.
Together, these programmes reflect a growing movement across Africa to position chess not only as a competitive sport but also as an educational resource capable of shaping future leaders.
Every game teaches decision-making.
Every defeat builds resilience.
Every victory inspires confidence.
Every tournament creates friendships that cross cultures, languages, and borders.
Freedom Holding Corp.
Freedom Holding Corp. is the general partner of the African Continental Stage of The World Schools Team Chess Championship, and have made chess development a key part of its long-term educational and social mission.
Led by founder and CEO Timur Turlov, who also heads the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and the International School Chess Federation, the company has invested heavily in expanding opportunities for young players worldwide.
Its support for the Cape Town event reflects a commitment to making chess more accessible, strengthening school chess, and creating pathways for African students to compete on the global stage.
Closing
As school chess continues to flourish across Africa, the championship represents more than a qualifier for a global event. It is a celebration of what the game can achieve in classrooms, communities, and in the lives of young children.
Some participants will leave Stellenbosch with medals and qualification tickets. All of them, however, will leave with new friendships, richer experiences, and a deeper appreciation that the greatest lessons in chess are often learned beyond the board.
At a time when Africa continues to invest in its young people through education and innovation, the Africa Schools Team Chess Championship stands as more than a sporting event. It is a testament to what can be achieved when schools, federations, international organisations, and communities unite behind a common vision.
Every move played in Stellenbosch is another step towards an Africa where chess is recognised not only as a competitive sport, but as a powerful instrument for learning, leadership, and opportunity.
