From National Colours to Grand Master Dreams: Kajol Naidoo’s Bold Start to 2026

Kajol Naidoo began playing chess in 2018 and, despite her young age, has already dedicated nearly a decade to the sport. gsport has followed her journey since she started competing at six, she has established herself as one of South Africa’s most promising young chess players, and appears poised to achieve even greater success.

2025 was a very successful year for Naidoo, she received both Gauteng Provincial Chess Colours and South African National Colours, and more successes are certainly on the cards for the 14-year-old in various competitions scheduled for the new year.

The St Peter’s College High student, who is also the chess captain, is playing her part to ensure the girls in her school are given a glimpse into the world of chess and its benefits. She profiles the fun and excitement as well as the benefits, especially to the incoming Grade 8 girls.

She shared some of her precious time to chat to gsport about what she has been up to and what we can expect from her in 2026. 

Firstly, thank you so much for chatting to us, Kajol. How has the start of the new year been for you in terms of chess?

The chess year 2026 has started with a boom, and that’s just from mid-January with three local tournaments. This is after a very busy December. I received my Gauteng Provincial Chess Colours at the Gqeberha-hosted inter-regional championships and have played again for Team SA in Zimbabwe and got capped with my SASCOC-approved SA National Colours in the Sport of Chess. 

I am looking forward to the Junior SA National Chess Championships in March in Rustenburg and am playing next week in Lesotho.

You received your Proteas colours in 2025. What did that achievement mean to you?

I always feel so proud and grateful that my hard work allows me to play for Team SA and travel internationally, make new friends, and learn in so many ways.

What big tournaments did you take part in during 2025?

Besides the provincial and national championships, I got to play in Zimbabwe twice for the Zim Open and the African Youth Chess Championship, as well as the Lesotho Open Championship.

What tournaments will you be taking part in during 2026?

Again, almost weekly local and provincial tournaments. Provincial and inter-regionals and then Nationals, and I am hoping then for one or two internationals. 

“Next week is, however, a big one, in the Lesotho Open Chess Championship.”

Team South Africa Chess Star, Kajol Naidoo

Having achieved the milestone of receiving your Proteas colours, what are your goals are you targeting in 2026? 

For the past four years, I have taken up another sport to balance the chess and have been capped three times now with my SASCOC SA National Colours in Dancesport for Hip-Hop, so my goal is to keep dancing and chessing.

You played competitive chess during the COVID-19 pandemic. How have things changed since then? 

I actually started chess competitively in 2018, and during Covid still won the Nationals via electronic online format. I am, however, glad since then we are back to the ‘over the board’ format.

As a young girl playing chess, how are you hoping to inspire other young girls to follow their dreams? 

As school chess captain previously and now heading up recruits at my new St Peter’s College High School, I profile the fun and excitement as well as benefits, especially to the incoming Grade 8 girls. 

They get a glimpse of my travels, prizes, and passion, and soon take on the boys. There are a lot more girls now playing school and club chess, and I hope I can continue showcasing chess as I always have and become an example to girls, young and older, and even to the boys.

Do you feel there are many girls playing chess now, and what more do you feel can be done to ensure that girls continue to join the sport? 

Yes, many more girls than previously are playing, and just by government and sponsors profiling it more, and girls seeing it’s fun, and they actually have minds that can beat boys, will hopefully allow for girls to grow in chess.

What is it about chess that makes you love the game? 

I live the thrill of winning, learning, and growing from losses, the prizes, the friends, and times with my Dad and coaches. I also enjoy the travels, lunches, and compassion from Mum. My coaches are also there for the fun and the many lectures. 

I also enjoy Mum waking and cuddling me, as well as the breakfasts in the early mornings. Chess also helps my debating, strategy, and maths, and not forgetting the many chess stories and road trips with Dad, I could go on and on…

What are your career aspirations in chess? 

For now, it’s still fun and hopefully in the future to keep my mind ticking, win some big championships and prizes, and get some international titles on the way to Woman Grand Master.

How do you balance your school schedule and playing chess?

I need more hours, but I have to find the time for homework, extra lessons for school, and chess. Then some time to practice dance and tournaments for both dance and chess; it’s long days and nights. I rest on Sundays, but there are a lot of sacrifices, hard work, and time that I put in.

gsport is set to turn 20 years old this year. What impact do you feel gsport has made in women’s and girls’ sport? 

With the spotlight in different sports and the Awards and sponsorships, help create awareness and excitement, and I hope there is a lot more to come.

---

Main Photo Caption: Kajol Naidoo began playing chess in 2018 and, despite her young age, has already dedicated nearly a decade to the sport. gsport has followed her journey since she started competing at six, and now writes about the Provincial and National chess star setting her sights on becoming a Woman Grand Master. Photos: Supplied

Photo 2 Caption: Naidoo has established herself as one of South Africa’s most promising young chess players and appears poised to achieve even greater success.

Photo 3 Caption: The St Peter’s College High chess captain is playing her part to ensure that girls in her school are given a glimpse into the world of chess and its benefits.

Photo 4 Caption: Naidoo: “I live the thrill of winning, learning, and growing from losses, the prizes, the friends, and times with my Dad and coaches.”