Mthembu raring to go with FISU team showdown in Uganda
- By S’fiso Nyawo
Congratulations to Lovers Mthembu, who was one of two members of the Wits Chess club to make the FISU team that will represent South Africa in Uganda, in June.
Lovers is currently in his second year of his pursuit of a degree in Mathematics and Economics. Lovers hails from KwaDukuza in KwaZulu-Natal, where his passion for chess began in 2015, with his brother instilling a passion that would grow into him cementing a place in the FISU team.
Amongst many of his success at the early stages of his career in chess, Lovers represented KZN multiple times at the South African Junior Chess Championships and the SA Top Schools. In 2019, he qualified to represent South Africa at the African Youth Chess Championship, but he unfortunately could not take part due to financial constraints. In 2023, he managed to claim a win at the Gauteng Championships.
We got a chance to catch up with Lovers and find a little more on how everything has developed in his chess career to get him where he is today.
Q&A with Lovers Mthembu
What motivated you to start playing chess and who do you model your game around?
“My older brother introduced me to chess, and I fell in love with the game immediately. I strive to be a flexible player, capable of adapting to any position. I draw inspiration from many top chess players, but if I had to choose one, it would be Fabiano Caruana. His style embodies the type of game I aim to play.”
How did you go about initially qualifying for the USSA closed qualifications?
“To qualify for the USSA closed, we first compete in the USSA open, where universities from across the country participate. Each university can bring a maximum of 10 male and 10 female players. The top 10 players in both sections then qualify for the USSA closed.”
How do you continuously improve your game and strategies?
“Analysing my games is crucial for my growth in chess. Besides that, I solve chess puzzles, study endgames, and play a lot of games. Growth comes with experience, and playing more games is the best way to gain that experience.”
How are you going to go about preparing for the upcoming competition in Uganda with the FISU team?
“My training plan will be similar to my usual routine: lots of games, puzzles, and analysis. Consistency is key to improvement.”
What’s the biggest benefit of playing chess competitively and at such a high level for you?
“Well, I would say that chess has a profound impact on personal growth. It teaches you essential skills such as planning, strategic thinking, decision making, patience, resilience just to name a few. On top of that, chess fosters a sense of community among players, creating lasting friendships and support networks.”
Lovers ended the interview by urging those in stronger positions to assist players like himself for funding for the various tournaments that take place.
“As a young player, financial support is crucial to seize opportunities and represent our country on an international stage. At this stage I would appreciate any assistance towards helping me realize my goal of being a part of the FISU team. It would be immensely valued and appreciated.”