From April 25th to 30th, Cape Town will host the 2026 Moja Chess Extravaganza, a tournament that has steadily grown into a cornerstone of the African chess calendar since its inception in 2018.
Under the theme “Breaking Limits. Building Legends,” the event brings a professional, multi-section festival to the spacious Bellville Velodrome.
The festival is anchored by a substantial prize fund of approximately $15,000 (R275,000). The organizers have set a professional tone with a 9-round Swiss system and a classical time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment for the top sections.
A unique feature of this event is the scoring system: following a trend seen in some elite tournaments, 3 points are awarded for a win and 1 for a draw. Additionally, in an effort to promote fighting chess, draw agreements are strictly prohibited before move 30.
The tournament is divided into several categories to ensure competitive pairings:
- Prestige Section: Reserved for players rated 2000 and above. The winner will take home a significant R50,000 (approx. $2,700).
- Ladies Section: A dedicated women-only tournament with a R25,000 first prize, reflecting the event’s commitment to growing the game among female players.
- B & C Sections: Catering to club players (under 2000) and developing talent (under 1600).
The festival also includes a strong focus on inclusivity, offering dedicated PWD (Players with Disabilities) prizes of R3,000 in each section.
Beyond the classical grind, the “Extravaganza” lives up to its name with a variety of parallel events:
- Seniors & Juniors: Specialized sections for veterans (born 1976 or earlier) and three age-restricted junior categories (U14, U12, U10).
- Blitz Event: A fast-paced 9-round blitz tournament scheduled for April 27th.
The Bellville Velodrome provides a high-capacity venue suitable for a multi-section event of this scale. To encourage participation from titled players (GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs), the organizers have offered free entry, ensuring a strong professional presence at the top boards.
With the support of the Western Cape Chess Association and the Cape Town Chess Federation, the Moja Chess Extravaganza remains a key destination for players from across South Africa and the wider international community seeking high-level organization in a world-class city.
Participants:
1 IM Karsten Jan RSA 2385
2 IM Levitan Caleb Levi RSA 2192
3 IM Bwalya Gillan ZAM 2330
4 IM Simpson Michael RSA 2166
5 PM Du Plessis Heinco RSA 2071
6 RM Samuels Ethan RSA 2025
7 RM Lin Chenyi RSA 2023
8 Cuthbert Michael RSA 2031
9 RM Mailula Matsobane RSA 1998
10 RM Van Zyl Albrecht RSA 1939
11 Rogov Timofey RUS 1980
12 Scherzer Harrison RSA 1955
13 Macheka Clayton RSA 1904
14 Chettiar Evasan RSA 1900
15 Solo Muzenda RSA 1882
16 Potgieter Werne RSA 1730
17 Ntuli Senzo RSA 1865
18 Chibale Herris ZAM 1847
19 Knipe Johannes Michiel De Kock RSA 1838
20 PM Lewis Mark Mm. RSA 1826
21 JM Singh Shaurya RSA 1759
22 Metcalfe Allister RSA 1763
23 Kolomwe Willian ZAM 1753
24 WRM Grobbelaar Jacqui RSA 1755
25 Green Guy RSA 1746
26 Mcmanus Dale RSA 1744
27 WCM Mwilola Phylis Namasiku ZAM 1735
28 De Kock Wade RSA 1724
29 Diale Tumelo RSA 1708
30 Solomon Izaiah RSA 1650
31 Mthethwa Nkanyiso RSA 1695
32 Sahoo Shaurya RSA 0
33 Mdaka Vuyanathi RSA 0
34 Matogo Dennis RSA 1682
35 Forslund Dick RSA 1681
36 Nel Joshua RSA 1596
37 Schuller Ashley RSA 1670
38 Hodgson Timothy F. RSA 1667
39 Resnekov Oliver RSA 1479
40 November Edwin J. RSA 1650
41 Hartley Ameen RSA 1641
42 Mansfield-Scaddan Sefton RSA 1640
43 Solomon Aubrey RSA 1625
44 Copley Murray RSA 1441
45 Cronje Frederick NAM 1618
46 Motiang Refentse Tumisa RSA 1606
47 Meissenheimer Kyle RSA 1613
48 Masango Sobangane RSA 1606
49 Snyckers Frank A. RSA 1605
50 Ndwandwa Longezo RSA 0
51 Sehlako Lehlohonolo RSA 1587
52 Anthonissen Mikhael Villem UKR 1432
53 Johnson Brian RSA 0
54 Whyatt Benjamin FID 0
55 Prinsloo Willem RSA 1553
56 Cronje Johannes Christiaan NAM 1571
57 Lin Junming RSA 0
58 Oberholzer Justin RSA 0
59 Fourie Ruan RSA 1557
60 Majiba Khanyisile RSA 1553
61 Zhang Ming Xuan Jesse RSA 0
62 Tjale Phillipmaite RSA 0
63 Ramonyaluoe Madalitso RSA 1470
64 Dsouza Ethan RSA 1470
65 Frank Mark RSA 1528
66 Van Der Westhuizen Werner RSA 0
67 Bekker Jacobus RSA 0
68 Beukes Benjamin RSA 0
69 Rhode Andre RSA 1512
70 Eyberg Zoe RSA 1507
71 Anthonissen Liliya RSA 1501
72 Srivastava Prakhar RSA 1403
73 Ravuri Chinmay Vihaan RSA 0
74 Smith Shiloh RSA 0
75 Whittaker Gregory FID 0
76 Varadharajan Akilan RSA 0
77 Manyuchi Runyaradzo Joseline ZIM 1457
78 Solomon William C. RSA 1442
79 Xhalabile Lonwabo RSA 0
80 Mooki Gomolemo RSA 0
81 Smith Willow RSA 0
82 Abrahams Harrison RSA 1433
83 Webber Colin RSA 0
84 Whittaker Lillian RSA 0
85 Beukes Cullen RSA 0
86 Dass Kaylon RSA 1413
87 Chadalavada Bhaarghavarama RSA 1411
88 Woolf Jessika RSA 1407
89 Mohlala Lucky RSA 0
90 Poole Cayden RSA 0
91 Daemi Darius RSA 0
92 Bothma Pieter-Steph RSA 0
93 Viljoen Lihan RSA 0
94 Singh Kushal RSA 0
95 Langenhoven Jasmin-Grace RSA 0
96 Vazirgiantzikis Andreas RSA 0
97 Davids Noah RSA 0
98 Moolman Phoebe RSA 0
99 Cidraas Omphemetse RSA 0
100 Zinto Ongeziwe RSA 0
101 Mokoena Naledientle RSA 0
102 Kentrotas Theodore RSA 0
103 Moolman Jacobus Johannes RSA 0
104 Kolbe Luke RSA 0
105 Wu Ruei-Ying RSA 0
106 Van Der Westhuizen Eben RSA 0
107 Varadharajan Theeran RSA 0
108 Van’t Slot Luke RSA 0
109 Manamela William Malose RSA 0
110 Kentrotas Apollo RSA 0
111 Chittiprolu Pranavi RSA 0
112 Du Toit Blake RSA 0
113 Mokefane Morena RSA 0
114 Ebrahim Umar RSA 0
115 Smit Mario RSA 0
116 Chittiprolu Vishal RSA 0
117 Du Toit Christina RSA 0
118 Coreia Jonathan Rodrigo Mussa MOZ 0
119 Gray Blake 0
120 Liebenberg Reinhardt 0
121 Ndeh Wisdom 0
122 Nolan Chace 0
123 Waidelich Carl 0
