Chess team embarks on Olympiad quest
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday September 11, 2026 10:38
The Olympiad, one of the world’s largest team chess competitions, will be held from September 16 to 27. Players will compete in the Open and Women’s sections over 11 rounds under the Swiss system. India enters the Olympiad as the defending champion after winning the title in 2024. The Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) announced the travelling squad this week, with the team led by the country’s highest-rated player, International Master (IM) Providence Oatlhotse. Speaking during the team announcement, leader of delegation and BCF president Kutlwano Tatolo highlighted that being selected for the national team was not an entitlement but a privilege and an opportunity for players to improve their ratings. BetXplosion Botswana finance manager, Galeakelwe Kolaatamo said since the company started working with the BCF as the title sponsor of the National Championships, it had believed the team had the potential to excel at the global event.
He added that the players must give their best at the Olympiad as they will be competing against some of the world’s best players. Kolaatamo reaffirmed BetXplosion’s long-term commitment to supporting chess as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, recognising the sport’s potential for wider community outreach and development. The betting company entered the mix by sponsoring the Botswana National Championships with P160,000, with the partnership continuing through to the senior national team. During the send-off ceremony, the team wore Collins Chilisa Consultants shirts and BetXplosion-branded blazers. For his part, Mboki Chilisa, a partner at Collins Chilisa Consultants, urged the players not to allow their opponents to intimidate them. He said they should remember that they were no different from their opponents, playing with the same number of pieces on the same board. Chilisa said even when facing Grand Masters, the players should remain focused. He added that the Olympiad would be highly competitive and that the players should use the stage as a learning opportunity. Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) president Tshepo Sitale, meanwhile, cautioned the players against being caught using banned substances. Sitale’s remarks come at a time when Botswana has recorded a high number of anti-doping cases, particularly in athletics. Some of the affected athletes have since appealed their findings to the High Court in Gaborone. “Safeguarding, discipline and responsible conduct are important when you are on national duty and represent the country well,” he said.
The Team Open Section IM Providence Oatlhotse – FIDE rating: 2030 Candidate Master (CM) Thuso Mosutha – FIDE rating: 1995 CM Thuto Mpene – FIDE rating: 2009 Arena FIDE Master (AFM) Blessings Motshabi – FIDE rating: 1831 Mogotsi Arnold Mothudi – FIDE rating: 1914
Women’s Section
Woman International Master (WIM) Dr Onkemetse Francis - FIDE rating: 1874 Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Natalie Katlo Banda – FIDE rating: 1952 Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Atlang Amolemo Mosweu – FIDE rating: 1784 WCM Maya Otimile – FIDE rating: 1894 WCM Laone Phoebe Moshoboro – FIDE rating: 1795