Chess on TV in Africa!

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012

Hi everyone,

 

African Chess Lounge (ACL) recently held a successful qualifier which was publicised on their TV show. They are talking about taking fast-paced chess on to television. Reuben Salimu is the pioneer leading the South African initiative and is located in Western Cape province. The first qualifier was won by Henry Steel over Don Van derHeever on tiebreaks and he will face on an upcoming TV show at ACL. 

A press release states African Chess Lounge, as its main objective and steering, would like to create awareness and spin-off interests in the game of chess. Viewers will be entertained through speed chess, a fast paced production with intense fighting in the qualification rounds. Time is always a factor in chess… so expect a lot of upsets an ‘edge of your seat” moments.

The overall objective of the TV is to elevate the game of chess to the greater South African youth by using this medium to teach young children how to play the game of chess. Chess as a sport has been historically linked to the great minds in mathematics, analytics, strategic thinking and much more. The inclusion of a mental sport to enhance the mathematical and numerical competencies of young minds with the technological advancements of media and communication is a natural progression for the sport.

"We will use the digital and communication platforms to increase awareness, reach and educate the population of South Africans who are looking toward international organisations for their guidance… we aim to bring them home and create a message of trust in abilities of fellow South Africans an in so doing, create South African heroes," states their website: www.africanchesslounge.com.

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