Motswana and Zambian joint chess champs
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday January 28, 2014 14:28
Motswana and Zambian joint chess champs
CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Staff Writer
W
oman Fidel Master, Kgalalelo Botlhole, from Botswana and Zambian Musatwe Simotowe have won the Year Opener Chess Tournament that was held at Mogoditshane Senior Secondary School over the weekend.
Airfficiency Limited sponsored the tournament for P15, 000. Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) spokesperson Keenese Katisenge told Mmegi Sport that the event was kick starting the chess calendar.
She said many events have been lined up for the rest of the year. She felt that the event was a success as evidenced by the good number (191) of chess players who participated in the competition. Some of the players came from Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The tournament was played in open and women sections format with a total of seven rounds in each. Botlhole and Simotowa were crowned joint champions after garnering 6.5/7 points each. Simotowe also finished on a joint first with Fide Master Phemelo Khetho in the open section with 6.5/7 points to end the tournament P2, 000 richer while Botlhole bagged P1, 000.
Candidate Master Thato Olebile came second with six open section points. The women section position two and three went to Nchidzi Motshusi and women Candidate Master Onkemetse Francis respectively with 6.7 points.
International Master Providence Oatlhotse and Women Candidate Master Francis failed to defend the title that they won last year. Oatlhotse was unable to appear in the open section medallists' lBotswana Chess Federation (BCF) spokesperson Keenese Katisenge told Mmegi Sport that the event was kick starting the chess calendar. She said many events have been lined up for the rest of the year. She felt that the event was a success as evidenced by the good number (191) of chess players who participated in the competition. Some of the players came from Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The tournament was played in open and women sections format with a total of seven rounds in each. Botlhole and Simotowa were crowned joint champions after garnering 6.5/7 points each. Simotowe also finished on a joint first with Fide Master Phemelo Khetho in the open section with 6.5/7 points to end the tournament P2, 000 richer while Botlhole bagged P1, 000.Candidate Master Thato Olebile came second with six open section points.
The women section position two and three went to Nchidzi Motshusi and women Candidate Master Onkemetse Francis respectively with 6.7 points. International Master Providence Oatlhotse and Women Candidate Master Francis failed to defend the title that they won last year. Oatlhotse was unable to appear in the open section medallists' list.