He needed structured coaching that would teach him not only what moves to play, but how to think about the game. That was when he joined Mzansi Chess Academy. The coaching he received was exactly the ingredient needed to support his enthusiasm, discipline and drive to improve. Within only a few months, he was competing against some of the best players in the country in his age group. A few months later, he had established himself as one of the strongest players in South Africa in his age category. Along the way, Tobias finished first in the under-12 section at the national championships and represented Johannesburg Metro nationally on the top board. He later finished second in the under-14 section at the national championships and earned the opportunity to represent South Africa in the under-14 section at the African Youth Chess Championship. Mzansi Chess Academy played an important role in helping Tobias transform his natural interest in chess into meaningful competitive success. The structured guidance, technical input and continued support he received enabled him to progress far more quickly and effectively than he likely would have managed on his own.”

I appreciate the Academy’s structure and professionalism — it works exceptionally well. If you are looking for a top-tier chess academy that is truly invested in your child’s growth and development, look no further than Mzansi Chess Academy.”

We are truly grateful to Coach Benjamin Hercules and the academy for providing such a supportive and professional learning environment. We highly recommend this academy to any parent looking to help their child develop not only strong chess skills but also confidence, discipline, and a love for the game.” *Dhiya Naidoo is a multiple time springbok player.

This improved his confidence and strength, resulting in his rating changing from 1350 to 1600 in a year. The following year Anton was selected for SAJCCC u 12. Group lessons with coach Ben and individual lessons and preparation and games analysis with coach Thsepo helped him to finish in 6th place and qualify for Africa Youth. Anton won 3rd place at Africa Youth u12 that year. Now Anton is in high school, busy with study and different sports. He may not be a very active chess player but continues with chess lessons at Mzansi which allow him to play A sections at chess tournaments and be part of a regional chess team. Chess lessons still play an important role in his academic and personal development.”

By December 2024, playing for JMC at the Gauteng Interregional Tournament in Johannesburg, he helped his team win gold and claimed the Board 1 prize in the Under-12 A section. His progress continued into 2025. A 4th-place finish at the South African Junior Closed Chess Championships in Somerset West in April 2025 earned him the right to represent South Africa internationally, and in June 2025, he proudly earned his Protea colours, competing for South Africa at the World Cadets Cup in Batumi, Georgia. None of this would have been possible without the support of Vusi and the entire Mzansi Chess Academy team. Vusi’s coaching goes well beyond teaching the game itself — his patience, encouragement, and willingness to go the extra mile for his players have made all the difference in Etienne’s development, both as a chess player and as a young competitor learning to handle the pressure of high-level tournaments. We are enormously grateful for everything Vusi and MCA have poured into Etienne’s journey so far.” *Etienne Brits is a Springbok player.

Yugesh’s hard work and the excellent coaching at Mzansi Chess Academy led to him being selected to compete in the South African Junior Chess Championship, where he achieved an outstanding 4th place finish. This remarkable achievement earned him the opportunity to represent South Africa at the African Youth Chess Championship in Uganda, where he finished 7th on the continent. His success continued as he qualified to represent South Africa at the FIDE World Cadets Cup in Batumi, Georgia. These achievements have been incredible milestones in his chess journey and have given him valuable international experience. Yugesh’s FIDE rating has steadily improved and currently stands at 1519, reflecting his dedication, perseverance, and continuous growth as a player. As parents, we are extremely thankful to Mzansi Chess Academy and Coach Greatman for believing in Yugesh and helping him develop both as a chess player and as a young person. The academy has provided him with excellent coaching, encouragement, discipline, and opportunities that have shaped his chess career. We look forward to seeing Yugesh continue to grow, achieve greater success, and proudly represent South Africa on many more international stages. Thank you to Mzansi Chess Academy for being an important part of his journey.”

Watching both boys grow through the game has been one of the greatest privileges as parents. Throughout this journey, Mzansi Chess Academy has been an invaluable part of their success. The coaches are exceptionally knowledgeable and talented, but what truly sets them apart is their ability to connect with children. They understand that every child learns differently and teach with patience, encouragement and a genuine passion for helping young players reach their potential. Their coaching goes far beyond teaching openings and tactics, they inspire confidence, resilience, discipline and a true love for the game. The academy creates an environment where children are challenged while still feeling supported. They celebrate achievements, help players learn from setbacks and encourage them to continually strive for improvement. The individual attention and mentorship have played a significant role in both Sebastian’s and Alexander’s development. Chess itself has become so much more than a sport for our family. It has taught our boys perseverance, critical thinking, humility in victory, grace in defeat and respect for their opponents. The lessons they’ve learned around the chessboard have shaped the young men they are becoming, helping them develop skills and values that extend far beyond the game. We are incredibly grateful to Mzansi Chess Academy for believing in our boys, investing in their growth and helping them achieve dreams we never imagined possible. We would wholeheartedly recommend Mzansi Chess Academy to any family looking for world-class coaching in an environment that genuinely cares about each child’s development, not only as a chess player, but as a person.” *Sebastian and Alexander Stelloh have both represented South Africa.