We’re Judah and Caleb Levitan—twin brothers, teammates, and South African chess players. Our journey began at 6 years old, learning the game at home. Having a partner in each other made us competitive—first across the kitchen table, then in local tournaments. In 2018, at 7 years old, we both broke through: Caleb won the SA Junior Closed (U8) and Judah finished second. That earned us the chance to represent South Africa at the African Youth Championship in Kenya, where we tied for first place. We quickly learned that titles are not just medals—they give you a platform, and it is up to you how you use it.
Since then, our paths have run in parallel. With guidance from a Grandmaster coach, Caleb won the SA Junior Closed (U10) in 2019, reached the last 16 at the FIDE Online World Cadets (U10) in 2020, and at 11 won the SA Junior Closed (U16), becoming South Africa’s youngest FIDE Master. In 2024, he stepped into the adult circuit, finishing runner-up at the SA Closed Championships at age 13—the youngest ever—and representing South Africa at both the African Games in Ghana and the Chess Olympiad in Budapest.
Judah represented South Africa in India, Spain, and Panama, and at only 12 made the U16 Olympiad team in Azerbaijan. That same year he became the South African U12 Champion and earned a podium finish at the African Youth Championship. In 2025, he won the South African Junior Blitz Championship and earned the FIDE Master title.
Today we are South Africa’s youngest International Master (Caleb) and FIDE Master (Judah) Caleb is currently the top-rated active player in the country (of all ages), Judah is ranked sixth, and together we are Africa’s highest-rated siblings.
Off the board, we wanted chess to mean more than ratings. Visiting schools, we saw smart children with no access to boards or clocks. We began raising funds, donating equipment, and running Sunday and after school sessions with mini-lessons. We’ve coached development teams, run outreach in under-resourced areas, and partnered with schools that use chess to build focus, planning, and confidence. The best moments aren’t trophies—they’re watching a beginner spot a tactic they once thought impossible, or win a game that changes their self-belief.
We think we were nominated because our journey connects performance with purpose. We’ve represented South Africa at the highest levels while creating pathways for others to play.
Vision: Professionally we have one goal – become Grandmasters. We would love to play a meaninful role in Chess being introduced into all schools in South Africa. As for our South African vision, we have been really fortunate to daven the Yom Kippur service in Baku, have a Shabbos meal in Budapest and daven in Singapore – and there is no place like home. Our vision is that the youth of today keep the values of those that came before us – while using new opportunities to build a stronger, prouder South Africa for the future.
