Albania Reflections Two (2) by Dr Lyndon Bouah

1. Introduction

When Chess South Africa selected the team in December 2025, we had to move quickly because the closing date was 19 February 2026. We then found flights at R14 000 return which we immediately snapped up. I was then appointed as manager and with the assistance of all the other members we quickly jumped into gear.

An interesting aspect was the e-visa process. This was quite a process as we needed to upload several documents that was required. We all followed through and after paying 25 euros we were issued our visa.

2. The World Senior Team Championship Invitation

See the tournament brochure below:

FIDE World Senior Teams Chess Championships 2026 Brochure

3. History of Albania

The Lonely Planet guide on Albania ( 2026 edition) describes Albania as that little flag in the middle of the rope in a tug-of-war, constantly being pulled back and forth between powerful empires. Ethnically and linguistically linked to the ancient Illyrian tribes that controlled the south-western Balkans, before Christ, Albania has been conquered by the Greeks, the Byzantines and Ottomans from the east, and the Germans, French and various Italian empires from the west at different points over the last few thousand years.

4. Famous people from Albania

John and Jim Belushi are American actors

Dua Lipa is an international famous pop singer.

Rita Ore is also a pop singer

Xherdan Shaqiri played for many clubs. Started at Basel and played for Liverpool where he made 45 appearances.

5. Interesting Fun facts

The Albania national football team, ranking 51st in the World in 2017 (highest 22nd on 22 August 2015) have won the 1946 Balkan Cup and the Malta Rothmans International Tournament 2000, but had never participated in any major UEFA or FIFA tournament, until UEFA Euro 2016, Albania’s first ever appearance at the continental tournament and at a major men’s football tournament. Albania scored their first ever goal in a major tournament and secured their first ever win in European Championship when they beat Romania by 1–0 in a UEFA Euro 2016 match on 19 June 2016.[394][395] The most successful football clubs are Skënderbeu, KF Tirana, Dinamo Tirana, Partizani and Vllaznia.

6. Interesting Facts about Albania and South Africa

At the Chess Olympiad in 1970 Albania famously forfeited its match against South Africa as a protest against apartheid marking significant moment in the sporting context. It affected their final standings but kudos to Albania for taking a stand in 1970 already. The sport boycott had already commenced as South Africa had been suspended from the Internal Olympic Committee in 1963 already.

7. Profile of the players

Anton Goosen ( prepared by Anton himself)

I am Anton Goosen, a chess addict. I started chess at the age of 13 in grade 7 during 1974. My brother bought me the only Afrikaans chess book available at that stage ”Skaak” from Martin Serfontein and Cor Nortje. At a later stage in my life, I met Martin personally and played games against him in tournaments. The book covered the Fischer vs Spassky world championship match of 1972. I lived in a rural town and that was my only source of chess. That was before TV, computers, chess videos, and other aids. Three years later in 1977 I won the Western Transvaal (North –West) Chess Open whilst in grade 10. The same year I played my first SA Schools with chess monsters like Donald MacFarlane and the mighty twins Kevin and Michael O` Sullivan.

I had the honour to play against four different GM players with of score 2/4.

I had a draw in the 1980`s against GM Michael Stean. I had a narrow loss against GM Ludek Pachman during the 1989 SA Closed. Watu Kobese also participated and later became Pachman`s student. In 2009 I played against GM Simen Agdestein (Magnus Carelsen first coach) in the Waterkloof Open in Pretoria and won. (He nearly fell from his chair.) During I think 2010 at the Durban Convention Centre I played against GM Popilski and had the better side of a draw.

At the Commonwealth Championship at the Emerald Casino in Johannesburg, I received a silver medal for the Senior 50 plus. (During the ceremony I was embarrassed when they called the under 100’s to the stage).

As a chess coach I had the privilege to accompany various SA teams at the World Youth Championships in Greece, France, and Vietnam. I also represented SA in Namibia during 2018 at the African Amateur Championships.

In 2009 I attended and completed the FIDE Trainers Course which was held by GM E. Grivas in Johannesburg.

It is a privilege to represent SA at the FIDE World Senior Team Championships.

I intend to continue my chess journey like GM Korchnoi till the day I die.

Chess greetings

Anton Goosen

8. Results of Round two

Following the logistical hurdles of the e-visa process and the flight to Albania, the focus turned to the chessboard for Round 2. South Africa secured a hard-fought 2-2 draw against the Philidor Brothers from France, showing great resilience against a statistically stronger side.

Round 2: South Africa vs. France (Philidor Brothers)

The match was a rollercoaster of tactical precision and defensive grit:

Board 1: Dr. Lyndon Bouah led the team with the Black pieces, employing the King’s Indian Defense (KID) to navigate a complex battle that ultimately ended in a solid draw.

Board 2: Shabir Hussain Bhawoodien pushed aggressively for an advantage, but his opponent managed to weather the pressure and launch a decisive counter-attack, resulting in a loss.

Board 3: Anton Goosen, true to his intention of playing with the fire of a lifelong “chess addict”, produced the game of the round. He courageously sacrificed the exchange, plunging the game into a wild tactical melee where he outmaneuvered Jerome Guiot Dorel to secure South Africa’s only win of the match.

Board 4: Andre Schutte delivered a masterclass in composure. Despite facing a significant rating deficit, he played a measured game and utilised excellent technique to hold the draw and seal the team result.

Regards,

Dr Lyndon Bouah Reporting live from Durres, Albania