UNIVERSITY SPORT

SOUTH AFRICA
P.O. Box 14734, HATFIELD, 0028
Tel: +27.12 341 7246 / Fax: +27.12 341 7258
043-773-NPO
e-mail: ussa@ussa.org.za

09 April 2024

To: USSA Member Institutions

Cc: USSA HP and USSA NEC

USSA Chess Championships 2024 - Closed Qualification

2024 FISU WORLD UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIP MIND SPORTS –
ENTEBBE, UGANDA

This serves to confirm that the USSA Chess Closed Championships will take
place on the 12th – 14th April 2024 at the University of Pretoria, Hillcrest Sports
Campus, which will serve as the trials for selecting the final team to represent
Team RSA at the FISU WUC Mind Sports scheduled to take place in Uganda
from the 25th – 30th June 2024.
All logistical arrangements of players will be the responsibility of member
institutions. Members are encouraged to book their athletes’ accommodation
and meals at the University of Pretoria HPC at reservations@hpc.ac.za.
A R300 per player entry fee will be required for participation at the closed
selection event. Cash payments will be accepted during registration at the
competition venue; members may also request an invoice from Ms Tidimalo
Bambalala at Tidimalo@ussa.org.za, by no later than Thursday, 11 April
2024, at 12:00 p.m.

President: Jerry Laka • 1st Vice-President: Carole Adam • 2nd Vice-President: Thabiso Letselebe
CEO/Secretary-General: Marissa Langeni • Chief Finance Officer: Sean Surmon
Assessors: Vuyokazi Bongela, Tumisang Motsoane, Sipe Solombela, McArthur Wulana, and Lusapho
Hlatshaneni
1. Participation criteria:

Participation in the closed selection event will be by invitation only.

Players must meet the following criteria in order to participate:
- The top 10 performers from each section from the 2023 USSA Chess
Championships automatically secure a spot in the closed selection event.

2. Rating requirements:

Open section players must have a FIDE or CHESS SA rating of 1600 and
above to be eligible for participation in the closed selection event.
Ladies section players must have a CHESS SA or FIDE rating of 1200 and
above to be considered for participation in the closed selection event.

3. Registration:

All players must bring along their latest proof of registration, student card/ID,
and proof of entry fee payment (if invoice was requested).
Players must present their current rankings on their Chess SA profile.

4. Event details:

The closed selection event is scheduled for the 12th – 14th April 2024, at the
University of Pretoria (Hillcrest Sport Campus) at the Sport Centre.

4.1 Competition rules:

4.1.1 General rules:

No food allowed in the playing venue/area, especially near the chess

sets.

President: Jerry Laka • 1st Vice-President: Carole Adam • 2nd Vice-President: Thabiso Letselebe
CEO/Secretary-General: Marissa Langeni • Chief Finance Officer: Sean Surmon
Assessors: Vuyokazi Bongela, Tumisang Motsoane, Sipe Solombela, McArthur Wulana, and Lusapho
Hlatshaneni
 Players should bring along own water bottle during rounds. Water
bottles must be placed on the floor next to the table or chair to avoid
spilling on boards.
Players must bring along own pens (black or blue) to fill in notation
sheets and score cards.
Only players who have confirmed payment by end of registration will be
paired for round 1 onwards.
No withdrawals after round 4 will be accepted.
Default time is 15 minutes

3.1.2 Time control

Each player will have 60 minutes per game with 30 seconds increment
per move from move 1.

3.1.3 Tie breaks

Direct encounter
Number of wins (including forfeits)
Bucholz (cut 1)
Sonneborn-Berger

3.1.4 Pairings

Pairings of players will be done using the FIDE approved Swiss Manager
Software and will be published on the chess results website
Players from the same team will be allowed to play each other i.e., there
will be no forbidden pairings

3.1.5 Electronics and cell phones

NO cell phones, smart watches, and smart devices will be allowed in the
playing venue/area during the tournament.
Provision for safe keeping of cell phones, smart watches and smart
devices prior to the rounds will be made available at the competition
venue. Players will be responsible for their own drop off and collection
after each round.

3.1.6 Draw rule

President: Jerry Laka • 1st Vice-President: Carole Adam • 2nd Vice-President: Thabiso Letselebe
CEO/Secretary-General: Marissa Langeni • Chief Finance Officer: Sean Surmon
Assessors: Vuyokazi Bongela, Tumisang Motsoane, Sipe Solombela, McArthur Wulana, and Lusapho
Hlatshaneni
 Players cannot offer or agree to a draw before black’s 20th move has
been made.

3.1.7 Tournament schedule:

Date Times Schedule

Friday, 12 April 2024 15:00 – 16:00 Registration
17:00 – 20:00 Round 1
21:00 – 00:00 Round 2
Saturday, 13 April 2024 09:00 – 12:00 Round 3
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 16:00 Round 4
17:00 – 20:00 Round 5
Sunday, 14 April 2024 08:00 – 11:00 Round 6
12:00 – 15:00 Round 7

4 FISU Mind Sports WUC – Team RSA

Please see the below long list of players to be considered for selection for the
FISU Mind Sport WUC at the USSA Chess Closed Championships.
The following are the top 10 players from the 2023 USSA Chess Championships:

Open Section

Name and Surname Institution FIDE Rating Chess SA rating

Nico Martin SUN 1861 2033
Emile le Roux NWU P 1480 1690
Lovers Mthembu WITS 1575 1833
Simamnkele Hemeni SUN 1786 1938
Mthandazo Vundla VUT 1727 1871
President: Jerry Laka • 1st Vice-President: Carole Adam • 2nd Vice-President: Thabiso Letselebe
CEO/Secretary-General: Marissa Langeni • Chief Finance Officer: Sean Surmon
Assessors: Vuyokazi Bongela, Tumisang Motsoane, Sipe Solombela, McArthur Wulana, and Lusapho
Hlatshaneni
 Laviens Makhetha UCT 1643 1869
Monray Windvogel UWC 1640 1723
Gerald Wagner NMU 1711 1838
Lwazi Selepe CPUT 1815 2034
Azile Jack TUKS 1459 1720

Ladies Section

Name and Surname Institution FIDE Rating Chess SA rating

Anika du Plessis SUN 1577 1613
Thembisile Makhubu SUN 0 1149
Amy Wallace WITS 1013 1278
Anje van Jaarsveld TUKS 1434 1577
Celima Mundama SPU 1089 1275
Boitumelo Maepa UL 0 1127
Laurie-Ann Shaw UCT 1518 1700
Aphiwe Zikalala UNIZULU 0 1218
Cora Mak TUKS 1624 1554
Zahra Kara UKZN 1451 1435

Please do not hesitate to contact Ms Tidimalo Bambalala at Tidimalo@ussa.org.za for

any queries.

Yours in the development of student sport

Mr Dumisani Dondashe
Senior Operations Officer

President: Jerry Laka • 1st Vice-President: Carole Adam • 2nd Vice-President: Thabiso Letselebe
CEO/Secretary-General: Marissa Langeni • Chief Finance Officer: Sean Surmon
Assessors: Vuyokazi Bongela, Tumisang Motsoane, Sipe Solombela, McArthur Wulana, and Lusapho
Hlatshaneni