Congratulations to FM Daniel Barrish and WIM Jesse February, winners of the 2024 South African Closed Chess Championships hosted by the Cape Town Chess Federation at the Newlands Cricket Ground.

Both open and womens tournaments were 12-player round robins with classical time control.

Fifth seed Daniel Barrish delivered an impressive performance, taking clear first in the open section, finishing a full point ahead of the runner-up FM Caleb Levitan. The champion scored 8/11 and became the only unbeaten player in the tournament. IM Jan Karsten netted 6.5/11 and won bronze.

Final standings open:

1

FM

Barrish, Daniel

2218

8

2

FM

Levitan, Caleb

2235

7

3

IM

Karsten, Jan

2323

6

4

Mnyasta, Charlton

2123

6

FM

Mhango, Banele

2193

6

6

IM

Cawdery, Daniel

2380

6

7

Mnguni, Jacob

2134

6

8

IM

Kobese, Watu

2268

6

9

FM

Klaasen, Calvin

2155

5

10

FM

Simpson, Michael

2093

4

11

Mfazwe, Lutho

1956

2

12

CM

Khumalo, Keith

2079

2

Fresh from her triumph in the African Championship, Jesse February dominated the womens competition, conceding her opponents just a half-point. WIM Charlize Van Zyl (9/11) and WFM Chloe Badenhorst (8/11) completed the podium.

Final standings women:

1

WIM

February, Jesse

1920

10

2

WIM

Van Zyl, Charlize

1909

9

3

WFM

Badenhorst, Chloe

1917

8

4

Klaasen, Robyn

1746

6

5

Nel, Hayley

1678

6

6

Strong, Davida

1672

5

7

Boshoma, Chisomo

1780

5

8

Grobbelaar, Jacqui

1726

4

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Daniel Barrish and Jesse February win South African Closed Championship - FIDE