Chess� Naledi (11) makes history

Botswana Chess sensation, Naledi
Botswana Chess sensation, Naledi

Eleven year-old chess star, Naledi Marape has made history after becoming the youngest Woman FIDE Master (WFM) as Botswana recently saw six other players receive new titles.

Marape got her title last week following her exploits at the 2017 Africa Individual Schools Chess Championship where she won gold in Zimbabwe in August. Marape played in the Under-13 category and despite competing with her more senior counterparts, she snatched a gold medal. In 2015, Marape became a Woman Candidate Master (WCM) during the same championship. Moshoboro Arona is Woman Candidate Master (WCM) after winning a bronze medal in the Under-11 girls category. Naledi’s brother, Marape Marape Junior is now a Candidate Master (CM) after finishing in the third spot in the boys Under-15. Marlo Natalie Banda won gold in the Under-11 girls category has got her a Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title.  Another WCM is Susan Sethebe for her silver medal in the Under-17 section.

Hasitha Sai Naga Manikonda got another WCM title for the country after winning a gold medal in the Under-7 girls section.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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