Can you share your journey of how you got introduced to chess and what made you develop a passion for the game?
I learned to play chess as an extra-mural activity at St George’s School when I was seven years old. I believe Mr Williamson, the caretaker, taught me. I played my first tournament the following year and lost all my games. However, I would only say that I started to play chess when I was nine years old. I joined The Weekend Chess Academy (as it was known back then), which was run by Coach Max Nitzborn and that is really where my love for chess developed.
What are your most memorable individual victories on the chess board?
Many events stand out to me in my career. I consider my breakthrough to have come in 2021. I was already clearly number one in Namibia, but I had not competed seriously at a continental level. In 2021, I played in the Africa Online Individual Championship and I played some of my most creative chess in that event. At the end of the event, I struggled with network issues, which pretty much ended my tournament, but up till that point, I was competing for podium places. I also came joint first at an Invitation Tournament in Lusaka against the best players in Zambia. Zambia is one of the best chess countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, so to win a tournament there ahead of their top players was a great encouragement for me. I have had many other great successes in my career, such as being the joint first at South Africa Open, and seventh at Africa Individual Championship, but generally, I am hopeful that this is only the beginning and that my greatest successes are yet to come.
How did your early life at The Weekend Chess Academy help shape your understanding and skills in the game?
I was fortunate to find a good group of friends at the academy, who helped me develop as a young player. I am grateful to those guys because they were already in high school at that time, but they took me under their wings. I am still very good friends with most of them. The coaches at the academy also played a role in my development, especially Coach Max Nitzborn. I can confidently say that my time at the academy set the foundation for my chess career.
Who influenced your game and style of play? How have they helped you in your chess journey?
I would say my coaches and my friends have had the most impact on me. I already mentioned Nitzborn helped me when I just started in chess. My current coach has probably had the biggest impact on me. We have been working together for several years now. In terms of top players, I would not say that there is anyone who has had a marked impact on my chess style.
You spoke about competing in Africa, how have you fared in the Africa Individual Chess Championship?
This year, the African Championships was in May and I did not participate. However, I played in the 2022 edition and I came 7th.
Can you share some insights into your training routine?
I try to engage in chess daily. I am always following the latest tournaments. When I train seriously, I try to do a minimum of four hours a day. These days I mostly focus on openings and calculation training, but generally, I think it is good to have balance in your training. By that, I mean you can focus on one area of the game, but that does not mean you neglect other areas.
How do you handle the pressure and expectations that come with being a remarkable talent in Namibian chess?
I would say that it has become harder for me to handle the pressure, especially the pressure from within myself. When I was younger, I did not feel any pressure because I was still an upcoming player, but now that I have reached the level that I am at, I feel it more. It does not often bother me enough to have any effect on my performance, but now and then I struggle to deal with it all. This is why I think working with a sports psychologist can elevate my game. I do have a mini-ritual that I go through before games to get me to focus, and I think that confidence is also a big factor in overcoming pressure. I am not perfect in this regard, but I am working on it.
What are your short-term and long-term goals in chess? My short-term goal is to improve my calculation skills and the psychological part of my game. I also hope to gain some ratings, but I do not have a specific timeline for this. My long-term goal is naturally to achieve the Grandmaster title. It will not be easy, but I believe that if I keep working, I can do it.