A University of the Western Cape PhD student has won a national chess title while advancing tuberculosis research, demonstrating excellence in both science and sport.
University of the Western Cape (UWC) PhD student Harrison Abrahams has been crowned champion of the Intermediate Section at the 2026 South African Open Chess Championships, balancing elite competition with groundbreaking research in pharmaceutical sciences.
The 25-year-old from Parow, Cape Town, secured first place after scoring eight points from nine rounds at the tournament, held from 27 June to 5 July 2026.
The Intermediate Section was closely contested, with the top five players separated by narrow margins. Abrahams finished first outright, ahead of Kopa Lesetedi, Andile Siyali, Christian Maxwell and Karl Freeks.
Away from the chessboard, Abrahams is pursuing a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences at UWC, where his research focuses on nanomedicine and tuberculosis treatment.
Reflecting on his victory, Abrahams said his approach was built on preparation rather than expectations.
“My mindset was simply to play good chess and ensure I was well-rested and focused. I did not try going for tricks and played solidly and I honestly didn’t expect to win.”
“I kept that fantasy of winning out of my mind completely, and focused on one game at a time. And it all worked out.”
Abrahams believes the strategic thinking required in chess has strengthened his research abilities.
“In chess, you calculate different possibilities and evaluate critically what the right plan is. That analytical and critical thinking skill is readily transferable to doing a PhD. I have to question my thought processes and research to ensure they are robust enough to help treat tuberculosis.”
He added that curiosity lies at the heart of both disciplines.
“Chess and nanomedicine both explore new avenues to solve the problems at hand, and being open to new ideas is key to nanomedicine and chess.”
Abrahams first learnt to play chess at the age of seven after his uncle introduced him to the game. Although he lost almost every match at first, he became determined to improve.
After playing casually throughout school, he stepped away from competitive chess during the pandemic before returning to the game while completing his master’s degree at UWC in 2024.
Today, he uses online chess as a way to recharge from the demands of research, proving that strategic thinking can create success both in the laboratory and across the chessboard.
