The Club Championship took place from August until November. The winner was only decided in the last round, when Keith Rust defeated Ashley Lewis to secure the title by half a point.

No	Name	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Score
1	Rust,Keith	*	1	1	1	½	½	0	1	1	1	7.0
2	Lewis,Ashley	0	*	1	0	1	1	½	1	1	1	6.5
3	Mhlongo,Darrell	0	0	*	½	1	1	1	1	1	1	6.5
4	Dankelmann,Peter	0	1	½	*	½	0	1	1	1	½	5.5
5	Mgaga,Bongani	½	0	0	½	*	1	1	½	1	1	5.5
6	Danisa,Cyril	½	0	0	1	0	*	1	1	1	½	5.0
7	Paraskevopoulos,Aresti	1	½	0	0	0	0	*	0	1	1	3.5
8	Buckas,Shihaab	0	0	0	0	½	0	1	*	0	½	2.0
9	Nyirenda,Jeremiah	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	*	1	2.0
10	Blackburn,John	0	0	0	½	0	½	0	½	0	*	1.5

The Candidates section was won by Zipho Zungu with 7½ points out of 9 games, ahead of promising youngster Pratish Ramsurrup on 6½ points. Zipho defeated Pratish in their individual game. His win also means a place in the Championship section next year.

Section C was won jointly by Johan Nel and Lulama Qobo with the fine score of 8 points out of 9 games.

The Natal Open took place on the long weekend 7th to 9th August. Peter Dankelmann was crowned 2004 champion. He was one of the leaders throughout the event, starting with 6 wins, and sealed his victory with draws against John Barlow and Steven Dri in the last 2 rounds. For a detailed report with pictures click here.

Third Swiss 2004

The Third Swiss was won by Keith Rust with 5 out of 6, after he defeated Darrell Mhlongo in a key last round game. Tied for second place were veteran player John Blackburn and George Oliver, on 4½ points, followed by Darrell Mhlongo and Bongani Mgaga with 4 points.

Second Swiss 2004

The Second Swiss was won by Peter Dankelmann with 5 out of 6. In second place was Bongani Mgaga on 4½ points, followed by Keith Rust with 4 points.

First Swiss 2004

First place was shared by Keith Rust and Darrell Mhlongo with 5½ points from 7 games. Darrell lost to fast improving Bongani Mgaga, then won his next 5 games before drawing with Keith in the last round. Keith was undefeated, with draws against Julian Thorpe, Peter Dankelmann, and Darrell. Tied for third place were Cyril Danisa and Peter Dankelmann with 5 points.

Durban Open (rapid)

A 20 minute tournament was held on Monday 22 March 2004. Defending champion Peter Dankelmann won the first prize of R500 with 7/7. In second place was Cyril Danisa on 6 points, followed by Keith Rust and Vincent Nzimande on 5½ points. Seven players tied 5th on 5 points.

Juniors Bloemfontein 2003

The annual South African junior chess championships for different age groups took place in Bloemfontein in December 2003. Although there are a large number of junior chess players in the Durban area, not many of them are members of the Durban Chess Club. Our junior members had lots of success:

Club member Shihaab Buckas is the new South African under 14 champion! Shihaab scored 8 points from 9 games (7 wins, 2 draws) to finish clear first in his age group. Well done, Shihaab!

Shihaab Buckas at the 2003 Natal Open

In the under 20 age group Ashley Lewis was seeded 17th and also finished 17th with 5½ points. Kaamil Buckas won gold in the team event with 5/5 but could only reach 3½ points in the individual event.

In the under 18's Robbie Vella was 21st with 6 points, whilst Ilhaam Buckas scored 5½ points.

Promising youngster Kurt Kin played in the under 12 event, and finished 18th with his score of 6 out of 9.

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