GEORGE NEWS - Seven-year-old Rebecca de Swardt, a Grade 2 learner at Holy Cross Primary School, has taken the junior South African chess world by storm. In just a year, she has gone from a beginner to the top-ranked player in her age category at school, the district, and even- the Western Cape. 

She is currently ranked number three in South Africa in the u.10 girls category.

"They play in even and odd-numbered tournaments, depending on the tournament, so u.9 or u.10," explains Rebecca's mom, Becky. 

"She plays with the Grade 2 and 3 groups in the school tournaments. Her birthday is only in September, so she is often one of the youngest. The Chess SA rating is an even number, meaning she falls under u.10."

Rebecca's hard work and exceptional talent have earned her a place on the national team for the prestigious Fide World Cadet and Youth Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2025 in Rhodes, Greece, from 12 to 18 April.

She has also qualified for the SA Junior Closed Chess Championship from 31 March to 5 April in Somerset West.

However, with just a few weeks left before the Greece tournament, Rebecca's family is struggling to cover the travel expenses. The short notice of her selection - announced only on 5 February - has left them with little time to plan or save.

Her mother is now reaching out to the community for support. 

Any financial assistance, big or small, will help turn this dream into a reality for Rebecca. They are also looking for corporate sponsorships and have all the required documentation from SASCOC and Chess South Africa (Chessa) to facilitate sponsorships.

Click here if you would like to contribute to Rebecca's BackaBuddy campaign.

"Your support will not only help Rebecca achieve her dreams but also inspire other young chess players to reach for greatness," says Becky.

Rebecca is an avid young chess player.‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’