Chess

Chess is an extremely popular sports code at the University of Fort Hare.

While the game of strategy has been played informally at the institution for generations, it really only made its mark as a mainstream code over the past 15 years.

Evidence of this is the annual UFH Open and UFH Heritage Open tournaments that attract high-quality fields, including grand and candidate masters.

In addition, the chess club generally produces the bulk of the Eastern Cape team’s representatives every year.

In 2014, former Fort Hare player and provincial kingpin Kulasande Mafanya moved the institution onto the board for good when he was selected for the University Sports South Africa (USSA) team to play in Poland.

The club is a multiple provincial league champion and perennial title contender.

Besides the league, policy dictates that players are sent to tournaments that will give them the best exposure in their pursuit of provincial and national colours.

UFH Chess also excels at administrative level, which is why the university is acknowledged as the hub of the game in the Amathole District.

One of the code’s greatest conquests has been the advancement of female players. Year in and year out they prove to be among the best tertiary-level exponents in the country.

The club prides itself on removing stigmas from the game and transforming novices into serious title contenders across various categories and grade levels.

Players are mentored by International Chess Federation (FIDE) coaches and representatives, some of whom have officiated globally.