Reflections on Steinitz in the WP League

When I look back at the 2019 Western Province League, I feel immense pride in what Steinitz Chess Club has achieved. Over the course of that season, we played 11 matches, winning 10 and drawing just one — against a strong MRL side. Not once did we taste defeat. That kind of consistency doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects years of teamwork, preparation, and commitment.

A run of dominance

Our unbeaten streak stretched well beyond 2019. In fact, over three years of competitive play — between 2017 and 2019 — Steinitz played 46 classical matches without losing a single one. Every time we sat down at the board, I felt the weight of that record, but also the confidence of being part of a team that simply refused to yield.

In 2017, during the Western Province Club Championship (played in early 2018), we swept the field with six wins from six.
In 2018, our league campaign was just as steady — 11 matches played, 8 wins and 3 draws against tough sides like Blackjacks, ACL and Stellenbosch. We followed that up by winning the Western Cape Club Championship, once again with a perfect 6/6.

And in 2019, we carried the torch even higher. Not only did we win the WP League, but we also went on to claim both the Western Cape Club Championship and the South African Club Championship, winning every single match in those events. To dominate provincially and then replicate that at national level was something special.

Individual performances

What made Steinitz so formidable was not just one or two stars, but the depth of our squad. I recall:

• Kenneth Willenberg on board one, scoring 5/6 against the strongest opposition.
• On board two, I myself managed a perfect 6/6, something I’ll always treasure.
• Luan De Jager on board four was rock solid, finishing 4/4.
• Glenn Willenberg impressed on board five with 4.5/5.

These kinds of performances showed the strength in depth we had — every player contributing, every point hard-earned.

What it meant

For me, Steinitz has always been more than just a chess club. I first played for Steinitz back in 1996, and since then I’ve played over 200 classical matches in its colours. To see the club reach such heights in recent years has been personally fulfilling, but also a testament to what collective dedication can achieve. We weren’t just winning matches; we were building a culture of excellence, camaraderie and resilience.

When you go three years without losing a match, you set a standard. That standard now lives in every Steinitz player, old and new. It is a reminder that our best days aren’t behind us — they are part of an ongoing tradition of striving, improving, and inspiring.

Looking forward

As I reflect on those seasons, I am grateful to my teammates, the Steinitz committee, and the broader chess community that has supported us. Success is never individual — it is shared. And at Steinitz, we share not just the victories, but also the commitment to keep the flame burning for the next generation.