South Africa's young chess stars make their mark at 2026 Olympiad

In Samarkand, Uzbekistan, a young chess revolution unfolded at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad. Far from South Africa's familiar chess scenes in Cape Town and Gauteng, the country's youngest-ever open team and a women's team spanning three generations competed. The Olympiad, held in September 2026, saw South Africa return home with two new international titles and notable victories against grandmasters.

The open team, aged an average of 20, included 16-year-old International Master (IM) Caleb Levitan, who had already made his debut at 14 in Budapest in 2024. However, it was Charlton Mnyasta, a debutant from Elsies River in Cape Town, who left a lasting impression. Mnyasta led the team with a 65% win rate, securing 6½ points from 10 games and earning the prestigious FIDE Master (FM) title. His performance against higher-ranked opponents, including 26th-seeded Italy and 44th-seeded Cuba, showcased the squad's potential.

Meanwhile, the women's team, captained by Grandmaster Kenny Solomon, demonstrated remarkable skill and experience. They secured upsets against Costa Rica and Luxembourg, with Woman FIDE Master (WFM) champion Sizakele Masango earning her title on debut. Playing against formidable opponents like China in the women's competition, South Africa's performance illustrated that the future of the sport was in capable hands.

As the chess world anticipates the 2028 Olympiad in Abu Dhabi, South Africa arrives not just as participants but as a squad ready to challenge the best.