GEORGE NEWS - In only four years, young Kieran Muller went from getting his first instruction in chess to being a chess champion.
Muller (13) recently played his last chess tournament for Holy Cross Primary School and his teacher, Idalette Campbell, said that she will miss him as a phenomenal chess player. Currently he is in Grade 7 and will attend York High from next year.
Under Kieran's captaincy, the school's team recently won the Eden Top Schools u.13 tournament in Calitzdorp for the first time in the school's history.
In August 2019, he noticed the children playing chess in the school's library. After stopping to watch, his interest was piqued. Campbell's daughter, Anja, taught him the basics. Soon afterwards he was selected for the school's chess team. He could not play in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which in Kieran's words, "slightly hampered" his chess ratings.
He continued his lessons with Grant Campbell when he returned to school in 2022. Since then he has won Eden colours (individuals) in 2022 and Eden colours (top schools) in 2023, competing at the provincial Western Cape schools tournaments in both years.
He has also played in various local tournaments, including the annual Loerie Tournament, the George South Senior Tournament and the annual George Chess Club tournament, where he achieved various honours.
In 2022, he was elected as the best senior chess player at Holy Cross.
Kieran encourages other children to play chess. He enjoys the game and says it means a lot to him. It helps him in his schoolwork, particularly in mathematics, as well as with concentration, patience and logical thinking. And on top of it all, he says it's not a difficult game.
When he plays he does not focus on his opponent, but in his words, "I play the board."
Kieran would like to become a mechanical engineer after school and continue playing chess as long as possible.
His parents, Greg and Simenta Muller, said they are very proud of their son.
Kieran Muller with his proud parents, Greg and Simenta Muller. Photo: Eugene Gunning
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