The Alexandra Aftercare Chess Club was established under the sponsorship of the Union of Jewish Women and was started by a former child of Alexandra Aftercare who is now paying it forward. Rooted in the belief that everyone is welcome regardless of background or prior exposure to chess, Thando sees the club as a family growing together, from being mere pawns to learning, progressing, and promoting one another. The club officially opened on Tuesday, 2 December, with an introductory course covering the names of all the chess pieces, their movements and positions on the board, as well as the fundamentals of development and attacking play.
I am incredibly proud of all my students, regardless of age, with special recognition to my top five learners whose dedication and enthusiasm have helped them grasp the concepts quickly, even within the first week. As a past Alexandra Aftercare learner and now a Bachelor of Commerce student, I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and hope that, as this chess family continues to grow, your support will continue to guide us every step of the way. I look forward to internal and external tournaments and to grooming many more pawns into Queens and Kings.