Hilma Nalupe
The Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) hosted a senior (50+) chess championship over the past weekend in Windhoek. The championships aimed to establish a senior national team that will represent the country at future international senior championships.
NCF president, Berdian Beukes, reiterated the importance of the championship, saying it plays a vital role in keeping players over the age of 50 active and involved in chess.
“It is important to keep players active, especially those over 50. The benefits of chess go far beyond the board, it helps in supporting mental sharpness and social connection. This championship gives senior players the opportunity to challenge themselves and stay motivated,” said Beukes. The participation was unfortunately quite poor, however, the two athletes that registered competed, with Sanders Oberholzer emerging victorious over Cyprian Roman, a dedicated competitor with a 1620 FIDE rating.Senior chess champion, Oberholzer, who successfully defended his senior national title for the third consecutive year, holds a FIDE ranking of 1981 and is ranked fourth among all active Namibian players.
The championships were decided over two games, one with the white pieces and the other with the black pieces. Oberholzer secured victory over both encounters, reaffirming his status as one of Namibia’s most seasoned chess players.
Beukes congratulated both players for their commitment to the sport and for honouring the senior championship with their participation and sportsmanship.
Regarding the low turnout, Beukes said he hopes the championships grow in future to ensure more participation.
“Our main goal is to ensure that senior players have a dedicated annual event, even if participation is small. Over time, we hope it will grow into a fully established championship where we can confidently select a senior national team,” he said.