HEAD  COACHES  REPORT  -  DANIEL  CAWDERY

Overview

Overall the competition was a success. Some of our kids really struggled to achieve their goals that they had envisioned prior to the event. The competition was really competitive. A number of high profile countries were notably absent from this event namely Russia and the United Kingdom. This being due to the bad relations between Russia and Georgia that accumulated prior to our departure. In the end safety was not a concern for us and there were relatively few incidents that were cause for concern. One incident which we hadn’t budgeted for was an excruciating long 14 hour bus journey from Armenia to Georgia, as a 4 hour plane trip was originally planned from Russia to Georgia prior to the event, but was dismissed on account of the political situation between Russia and Georgia. I personally think that our group that participated were relatively match unfit and found it hard to compete in these conditions due to a shortage of tournaments in our homeland. These kids need to get exposed to the international level on a more frequent basis. We as a group need to hold numerous coaching seminars prior to the championships to establish the strengths and weaknesses of each individual participating. This will give us time to grow accustomed to their respective unique styles and correct them in areas that could be a concern to us as coaches. Being so close to the venue, we were able to take a more relaxing approach to the event and weren’t in any kind of rush. The playing halls in general were not adequate for a tournament of this magnitude. There was a big problem at one stage with the midday sun beaming on to the boards while the games were in progress. This was due to the fact that the rounds were being played at a much earlier time of 11:00 am, than the normally accustomed 15:30 pm as in the past. Security was really tight at the playing halls and you could only enter 1 of the 3 playing halls with an accreditation badge at your disposal-this was done to prevent the influx of eager parents/spectators from clogging up the halls.

Overall I hope that our players managed to feed off the vast experience on display which will help them in their endeavors in the future.

Managers Overview

Bridgette Brodie

I can only just have admiration for Bridgette. Bridgette was assigned the huge task of having to look after a group of 29 children in total- a mean feat in its own right! Bridgette is really committed to her cause and would stop at nothing to ensure the safety and care of those under her wing. She promotes a high level of team building and is very effective as a strong leader. She was put to the test in Georgia under somewhat difficult conditions, but proved to us all where there is a will, there is an answer. 
Coaches Overview

Frans Vermaak

Frans really gave a good account of himself and rose to the challenge that faced him ahead. He possesses good leadership skills and socially interacted with his players well. He is Very much liked and respected in the chess community. He was fully committed to his cause and went about it to the best of his ability. In my opinion a strong candidate for future international tournaments.

Corno Klaver

Corno aka ‘Cuby’, is really very much liked and respected amongst his peers and students. He has the ability to create a warm, sensual atmosphere wherever he goes. As the Gauteng head coach and the President of the ‘South African coaches and trainers association, he gave a good account of himself. He has devoted a lot of time and effort to his students and is fully committed to the overall development of chess in Southern Africa. Myself, Corno and Frans are currently trying to create awareness of chess to those less fortunate than us in Soweto.

Johannes mabusela

Johannes coming from a humble background, rose to the challenge. He has a proven track record on the South African circuit that he is a force to reckon with and has adjusted well to coaching rather than playing.

Edwin November

Edwin has gone as a national coach on numerous occasions and is vastly experienced at this level. Being a math’s teacher at a secondary school, gave him the upper hand at communicating effectively to his students. He gave a good account of himself as a whole.

Student’s overview

Angelique Hattingh

In my personal opinion Angelique, overall played the best of the South African team. She committed herself fully to her cause and was also well rested.
In round 2 Angelique had the luxury of playing the number 1 seed with a staggering rating of 2278! She missed 17…Rxc4 but showed guts and determination to try and hold on but was eventually over pressed by one of the eventual winners of the entire tournament
Round 7 saw Angelique’s talent shine through with her excellent tactical exhibition. 27.Rf6! saw her opponent succumb to defeat.
 In my capacity as her personal coach, I think that Angelique has the potential to go on to be one of the leading ladies in South African chess. Her average rating performance of above 1900 suggests that she was exposed to strong competition. She has got a good temperament to the game and we hope to see much more of her in the future.

Ezet Roos

Ezet is very strong willed and gives it her all when she plays. She has the unmanning ability to play some great games that are worthy of much applause.
She has matured very nicely as a formidable player on the ladies circuit.
Being the endurance player that she is, shows that she is very cautious and willing to use her time to the best of her ability.
Ezet has a tendency to swap off pieces rather easily and enter endgames prematurely.
I personally think that she needs to zone in her attacking skills more, which in my opinion would help her improve her game in its entirety.
Ezet is going to be a force to reckon with in ladies chess as a whole.

Carmen de Jager

Carmen in my opinion was physically and mentally tired after playing in the grueling competitive U20 World Junior Championships held in Armenia prior to Georgia. Nevertheless she gave a good account of herself on all fronts. Carmen has got a good solid opening repertoire at her disposal, but needs to understand all the concepts and ideas surrounding her openings.
Round 1 Carmen on black side of a solid Berlin defense against a 2207 rated opponent neglects the overall safety of her king and allows her opponent to take full advantage of her exposed king-10…Bf5 followed by 11…Kc8 would have been better
A rare slip in concentration on Carmen’s behalf in round 10 caused her to forfeit material and ultimately the game.
 Her tactical side was above par and I was on a whole very impressed with her, as she is considered more of a positional player rather than a tactical player.

Melissa Greef

Melissa is widely regarded as one of the top if not the best female player in the country at such a tender age of 11. She has got a really attacking flair about her that distinguishes her from most of her female counterparts.
She achieved the highest score of the South Africans overall.
Round 3 substantiates my reason for her having bundles of talent waiting to be unearthed. She displayed her own unique killer instinct to the best effect.
Round 10 was very controversial as her Chinese player was caught red handed talking with her compatriot in a very complex theoretical battle with Melissa on the losing end. The final verdict by way of the arbiter overseeing the game was to give the Chinese girl a warning. I think that the punishment was very lenient and does not set a good example to others. 
Melissa being on a gap year from school has had the benefit of participating in numerous international tournaments this year.
Melissa has a good temperament to her game and has a strong determination about her, when playing a game of chess.

Heinrich Stander

The U18 boys section this year was extremely competitive. Every game was hard fought except for the so called ‘bye’ being the Kenyan player. Heinrich as a whole gave a good account of himself, but personally I thought that he was not match fit as a whole.
In round 1 Heinrich having a bishop for 3 pawns squandered his chance of taking the full point by allowing 25…Re3! Thus allowing his vulnerable king to come under some heavy fire. Better would have been 25. Rae1
In round 7 Heinrich overlooked the seemingly obvious 21…Rxb3 thus proving that he was not in his normal tactical ‘killer’ approach.
He is exceptionally talented and I personally think that given the right chances he could become a big force to reckon with on the global stage.

Jon Maloney

Jon had an exceptional start to these championships. He was on a ‘runaway train’ and on 3 out of 5; he was amongst the elite at the top.
But as the tournament progressed on, Jon faltered and came to a complete standstill only managing to achieve 0.5 out of 6!
In round 2 he overlooked 19. Bxh7+! Kxh7 20. Rxe7!!. This crushing blow would have proved decisive had he seen it against a 2350 rated opponent.
His game in round 6 is a shining example of his talent.
He showed that given the right position at his disposal he could be very lethal in his onslaught no matter how stiff the competition is.
Jon needs to zone in on his opening theory. He has the tendency to go for the more unorthodox approach and this could be the telling factor in the overall development of his chess.