City libraries make moves with chess tournaments

14 June 2025

The number of libraries taking part in this year’s round of chess tournaments has more than doubled, with 66 already signed up, compared to last year’s 32. The initial rounds of chess at the individual libraries will kick off at the end of June.

The annual event is known as chess@libraries, with mini tournaments leading up to the finals taking place in October.

Chess has been a fixture at some City libraries for several years, but chess clubs have grown in number and participants. In 2023 19 libraries participated in the tournament.

The chess club at Rylands Library is more than 18 years old, while the Kraaifontein club was started in 2016 and collaborates with the Cape Town Chess Academy.

‘The popularity of chess is evident in the high number of participating libraries. It is more than a pastime and challenges players to think ahead, anticipate the moves of their opponents and to make choices that have consequences. It takes dedication, creativity and patience and it’s encouraging to see the sport grow to this extent.

'Our libraries are the best spaces to work on your chess game. Not only do they offer quiet spaces, but some libraries also have dedicated clubs with instructors. It is also worth pointing out that the chess@libraries concept was the brainchild of one of our librarians,' said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.

Visit your library to find out about chess clubs and tournaments. You don’t have to be affiliated with a specific chess club or school to participate.

Captions: Archive photographs of chess played in various City libraries.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office