Chess South Africa (Chess SA) is the official governing body for chess in South Africa, recognized by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and affiliated with the International Chess Federation (FIDE). We are responsible for the development, promotion, and regulation of chess across all levels in the country, from grassroots programs to high-performance international competition.
The SA Chess Federation was formed in 1947 (just after WW2) and was recognised as the National body by FIDE until South Africa was suspended in 1974. The SACF remained in existence until Chess SA was formed about 20 years later. In between there was CAOSA formed, late in the 1980's. Chess SA was formed in 1992 as the merger of CAOSA and SA Chess Federation. Chessa was readmitted to Fide on 22 June 1992.