Chess Providence lives up to his name

KENNETH BOIKHUTSWANE
Correspondent | Wednesday March 5, 2008 00:00

 

However, in round five Oatlhotse became a victim of a trait common among upcoming players. In a tournament where the players had only 10 minutes each, he looked set for victory as his fifth round opponent, Tebogo Pitlagano, arrived seven minutes late.

This means that Oatlhotse still had his 10 minutes while Pitlagano had only three. Instead of playing normal chess, Oatlhotse tried to win on time and raced with Pitlagano. With the clock receiving a thorough battering from the two players, Oatlhotse lost two pawns in succession and was mated when he still had six minutes to play while his opponent had only 10 seconds.

The tragic loss, coupled by Gaealafshwe wins threw the tournament wide open. However, by the eighth round, Oatlhotse was still half a point ahead of the pack. But a tricky customer in Rodwell Makoto awaited him in the ninth round. Makoto won to tie on points with Oatlhotse, while Gaealafshwe overcame Jona Chaka to take over the lead by half a point and win the P10,000 event sponsored by Funeral Services Group (FSG).

Gaealafshwe scored 7.5 out of nine points to win the P1,750 first prize. In second place with seven points was the trio of Kudzanai Mamombe, Oatlhotse and Makoto. The three players got P920 each.

After lifting the title, Gaealafshwe said he is working hard to get ready for the Botswana Chess Championships scheduled for the Easter holidays. 'I have been working on chess and the results are beginning to show.

This result is good for my confidence as we head for the finals, where I hope I can emerge victorious again. I consider myself a favourite for that crown,' said a confident Oatlhotse. In the women's category Ontiretse Sabure was victorious and went home P350 richer.

In the last round she defeated Kefilwe Miti, secretary of Botswana Chess Federation.  FSG board chairperson Tebelelo Seretse told the participants that she was impressed by the growth of chess in the country. 'When we were growing up, we were told that chess was a white man's game as it required thinking.

I am glad to see that today we have our own Batswana black thinkers.' She added that chess has made strides as she is aware of a certain local maestro, referring to Woman Grandmaster Tuduetso Sabure, who is the first woman from Africa to get the coveted title.  Tshepo Sitale, who organised the tournament in memory of his late mother Joyce, said he wanted the event to grow bigger and attract international participants. He said, overall, he was impressed with the turnout and the fighting spirit displayed by the players.