Team Profile

South Africa has only resumed participation in the Chess Olympiad in 1992. Given the tenuous socio-political climate, the result is the spilling over into over spheres of society… one of which is chess.

This Olympiad will not feature South Africa's strongest player due to apparent rift between IM Watu Kobese and the South African Chess Federation. Hopefully, a resolution is forthcoming, but it won't occur before the teams meet in Bled. IM Kobese will accompany the Botswana team.

The South African team will repeat the 2000 Olympiad duo of IM David Gluckman on board #1 followed by the tenacious FM Kenny Solomon on board#2. FM Solomon had the best performance with 7½-5½ (TPR: 2372) and his fighting spirit will be crucial in close matches.

Links

• South African Chess Federation
  
• South Africa's Kobese treks to India for World Chess Cup!
  

2002 Men's Team: (kneeling, left to right) IM David Gluckman (Bd. 1), FM Kenny Solomon (Bd. 2) and Jonathan Gluckman; standing (left to right) Captain Lyndon Bouah, Mark Levitt (Bd. 4), Yuri Aronov (Bd. 5) and Ewen Kromhout (Bd. 6). Photo by Jerry Bibuld.