Sports

Batttle lines drawn for Chess nationl team slots

Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday December 23, 2025 10:34

Battle lines are drawn for a slot in the Botswana chess national team that will represent the country at the 46th Chess Olympiad 2026 to be held September 15-28 in Uzbekistan.
 
Battle lines are drawn for a slot in the Botswana chess national team that will represent the country at the 46th Chess Olympiad 2026 to be held September 15-28 in Uzbekistan.

The first round of the qualifiers ended on Sunday in Palapye. After seven thrilling rounds of strategic battles, top 20 players in the Open Section and top 18 in the Women’s Section made it through the first stage of the 2026 national team trials. Their determination, fighting spirit and love for the game shone on the board. The players will now move to the second knockout stage, where only the top eight from each section will qualify for the final national team trials, the last step towards representing Botswana on the international stage.

Speaking to Mmegi Online, Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) public relations director, Goitsemodimo Makgatle said the performance of the players was commendable and competitive, showing a promising depth of talent across various age groups. “Top-seeded players and veteran players such as Candidate Master (CM) Moakofhi Notha, Ndawana Mosenya largely held their grounds, but we also saw a few upsets, which is healthy for competition and a sign of rising challengers,” she said.

Some of the players who went through in the Open Section are: Gaasite Sebetlela, CM Thuto Mpene, Bokamoso Simon, CM Tshepo Monare, Thabang Magowe, Kuda Bayani amongst others. Some of the qualifiers in Women’s Section: Woman International Master (WIM) Onkemetse Francis, Kgomotso Ndachipiwa, Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Maya Otimile, WCM Amolemo Mosweu, WCM Laone Moshoboro, Bonno Nthale and Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Thapelo Francis.