BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – The Eswatini Chess Federation has received a major boost after being invited to participate in the prestigious FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 (African Continental Stage), to be held at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, South Africa.
The championship will bring together school teams from across the African continent, with participating countries competing under the International Chess Federation (FIDE) African Zone banner.
The Eswatini Chess Federation has registered a team of five players to represent the Kingdom at the continental showpiece, where they will test their skills against some of Africa’s finest young chess talents.
The invitation is regarded as a significant achievement for Eswatini chess, as it provides the country’s emerging players with an opportunity to compete at the highest level of school chess while gaining invaluable international experience.
Beyond the competition itself, the tournament aims to strengthen continental unity, promote the role of chess in education and encourage the development of young players through international exposure and cultural exchange.
For the Eswatini Chess Federation, participation in the event is another important step in its efforts to develop the sport locally and provide promising players with opportunities to compete beyond the country’s borders.
The championship is also expected to expose the young Emaswati players to different styles of play and higher levels of competition, experiences that are expected to contribute significantly to their growth and future performances.
Officials believe the tournament represents a defining milestone for Eswatini chess, helping to lay the foundation for a new generation of master strategists capable of competing successfully on the international stage.
The federation will be hoping the five-player squad delivers a strong performance while proudly representing Eswatini at one of Africa’s premier school chess competitions.
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