Metropolitan gives chess a cash boost

Arthur Simuchoba | Friday February 7, 2014 14:09

 The sponsorship has been increased from P80, 000 to P108, 750.

Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) spokesperson Keenese Katisenge told Mmegi Sport yesterday that Metropolitan Botswana has a longstanding relationship with BCF, dating back to 2006 on an annual basis. 

Katisenge said the championships is the most anticipated event in the BCF calendar and is the only one that brings players together to battle for the coveted National Championship title.  She said that the event has produced the country’s most reputable players who are now outstanding at regional and international levels.

Katisenge said the Metropolitan series is the best-attended event and the only National Championship in the country and has prompted many people to take up chess. The first round of the championships will be held in Gaborone from February 15 to 16. The event will be played in open and ladies sections formats.

“The open section is for all the players who aspire for the championship and women are allowed to partake in the section. It is the toughest section of the championship,” she said.

The top 24 players from the open section and top 18 from the women’s section will qualify for the next round,” she said.

The second round of the championships will be held in Francistown from March 1 to 4.  Katisenge said the final round of the event would be held in Gaborone in April and it is where the champion will emerge for both sections. She said that the champions from both ends would make it into the national teams that will represent Botswana at the Chess Olympiad in Norway in August.