Keith Rust (on the right), being congratulated by Peter Dankelmann
on his 16th KZN Closed title at the 2009 Natal Open
I was first selected to play in the Durban championship in 1976 and competed without
much success until my 5th attempt at the title in 1981. Thereafter wins happened on a
regular basis. I won the Durban title for a record 25th time in 2018 and also became
the 2nd oldest winner of the title. I decided to retire from active tournament play at
the end of 2018, having played in over 300 tournaments. Other successes at the club
included 34 first or equal first place finishes in standard Swiss tournaments.
My first significant tournament success was in winning the 1977 Natal Open ahead of a
strong field, including then SA Champion David Walker, who I defeated in our 6th round
game. Overall, I was 1st or equal 1st on 6 occasions, and won the Kwa-Zulu Natal Closed
title on 16 occasions.
More details to follow.
I was only able to play once in the South African Closed championships. That event,
held in Pretoria in bitterly cold conditions in July 1987, saw a close fight between
Argentinian GM Miguel Quinteros and 6-times South African champion Charles de Villiers,
who mowed down the rest of the field. I tied for 6th place, as you can see in the
tournament cross-table.
More details to follow.