Junior chess players ready to checkmate

A strong field is at the inaugural invitational tournament with the girls Under-18 pitting the best in the category. Woman FIDE Master (WFM), Naledi Marape is thirsty for a win after a long dry spell.

Marape was part of the team that participated in the 2022 FIDE Olympiad in Chennai, India. She has the advantage of winning the category but it will not be a walk in the park as she faces stiff competition from Woman Candidate Master (WCM), Natalie Banda. The five players in the Under-18 category grew up together.