Nine-year-old with all the moves

Writer & Photographer: Taylum Meyer.

Not many youngsters would have the courage to challenge Andrew Southey to a game of chess; he is, after all, the Senior Commonwealth Chess Champion and the South African Senior Chess Champion. But Connor Opperman, a nine-year-old learner from Curro Hermanus, not only did precisely that, but also requested to be blindfolded for the match!

Connor thinks of his next move in his blindfolded game with Andrew. In the foreground you can see the chess board with their moves on it.

This unusual challenge took place at the Onrus Manor Clubhouse last week, where members of the Hermanus Chess Club (HCC) get together every Thursday afternoon for chess practice.

Amazingly, Connor has only been playing for two years. He developed a passion for chess when his grandfather taught him the game at the tender age of seven.

Since then he has participated in several chess tournaments through his school and the HCC, and is determined to further improve his game.

Click below to read more. (The full article can be found on page 26)