The strategic brilliance of a young Retreat pupil on a chessboard is taking him to the national stage.
Malesela Owen Moja, a 16-year-old Bergvliet High School pupil, put on an outstanding performance at the Western Cape Schools Chess Championships in George earlier this month, securing his ticket to represent the province at the national level.
Moja navigated his way through the difficult under-18 division, which was the largest and most fiercely contested bracket of the entire provincial tournament.
Despite the heavy pressure, he kept his composure to bag an impressive five out of six points.
His third-place overall finish made him the highest-placed Cape Town Metro competitor in his section, notably finishing two places above National Master Raynier Claassen.
His road to the provincial stage began with a flawless run at the district level, where he racked up a perfect six out of six score in the under-17 section. From there, he advanced to the Metro Trials, where his stellar play earned him Regional colours, setting the platform for Moja’s breakthrough in George.
As a direct result of his podium finish in George, Moja has earned his provincial colours and will represent the Western Cape at the DSAC Summer Games in December.
It marks the first time the Retreat teenager has reached this elite level of school sports.
Buntu Gotywa
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