Once the playing begins, all that's to be heard is the clanging of pieces and the thumping of clocks signalling that it's "your move". Today, chess took centre stage at the Gugulethu Sports Centre.
About 50 children from across the Cape Flats participated in this rapid-chess event. In this speedier version of chess, players get a small amount of time to finish the game. It's a form of chess that has become increasingly popular because it makes for fast, exciting games and tournaments can be completed in a day. In today's Gugulethu tournament, each player got 20 minutes to play all his or her moves. In that time you either have to checkmate your opponent, force him or her to resign or agree to a draw. But if you run out of time, you lose. The tournament is played over seven rounds. You don't get knocked out if you lose. The format, known as the Swiss system, is wonderful for giving everyone a chance. Even if you lose a game you can make a comeback and win the tournament.
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