This year’s online Alexforbes Battle Boards Chess Championship will be open to schools nationwide, ensuring broader accessibility for learners across the country.
Following the success of the inaugural 2024 tournament, Alexforbes is expanding the online competition to include high schools from all nine provinces in South Africa.
The 2025 edition aims to reach an even wider audience, promoting inclusivity and fostering strategic thinking and problem-solving skills through the world’s most accessible sport.
Commencing on Saturday, 10 May, the team-based championship will see schools competing within their respective provincial pools.
The top teams from each pool will advance to the final stage, with play-off matches on 26 July and 9 August, for the national championship title.
Fast facts
- teams play online from their school or chosen venue;
- 10 minutes per side per game;
- 288 teams across all nine provinces will compete against each other. Team results are based on individual game results;
- the limit is 32 schools per province – registration is on a first come, first served basis;
- 15 standby place per province is allowed;
- should teams be withdrawn, standby teams replace withdrawn teams on a first come, first serve basis in order of standby registration;
- 7 players per team plus 1 reserve, mandatory to compete; and
- provincial pools are released on battleboards.co.za.
Inter-provincial championship dates
- KwaZulu-Natal: 10 and 11 May;
- Limpopo: 10 and 11 May;
- Mpumalanga: 24 and 25 May;
- North West: 10 and 11 May;
- Gauteng: 24 and 25 May;
- Western Cape: 24 and 25 May;
- Northern Cape: 31 May and 1 June;
- Eastern Cape: 31 May and 1 June; and
- Free State: 31 May and 1 June
National pool matches take place on 26 July, with the play-offs and finals on 9 August.
The first 32 schools per province are registered through the website. Team rankings are based on player ratings, which is automatically calculated. If a player is not rated, they are allocated novice status.
Teams are allocated to pools automatically by the registration system, but based on an even-strength basis as far as possible.
Once all registrations have been processed, the pools will be revealed.
Schools encouraged to register
“We are excited to extend the reach of the Alexforbes Battle Boards Chess Championship to all nine provinces, giving more learners the opportunity to develop critical problem-solving skills and compete on a national stage.
“Chess is much like investing. It’s not just about the next move, but about thinking long term, making smart choices and building strategically towards your endgame. It’s about learning to make every move count.”
Viresh Maharaj, executive at Alexforbes
Previously, Dr Jabulani Mokoena, president of the Moja Chess Club, describes chess as an ultimate game of strategy and skill, and says chess is important for mental agility. This club presents the Moja Chess Extravaganza annually in Kimberley in the Northern Cape.
“Children who play chess do well in school, especially in Maths and Science. Chess also helps with concentration and deep thinking,” he says, adding that chess should actually be part of the school curriculum. He says some of the players can concentrate on the game for three to five mental hours on end; which makes it a very disciplined sport.
Schools and their chess enthusiasts are encouraged to register via BattleBoards.co.za, where they can find more information on the online chess championship’s structure and key dates.
An automated email will confirm registration, with a reminder to register seven players and one reserve by 5 May.
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