Chess team brings silver and bronze from Namibia

Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday July 3, 2014 06:59

 

Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Onkemetse Francis got a silver after finishing second with six points, while Woman Fide Master (WFM) got a bronze Kgalalelo Botlhole. The Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) had sent a team of three men and three women to the championships in Windhoek, Namibia from June 22 to 30. The other member of the women’s team was Woman Fide Master, Thapelo Francis. The men’s team had Candidate Masters, Thato Olebile, Thabo Gumpo and Barileng Gaealafshwe.

BCF spokesperson, Keenese Katisenge told Mmegi Sport yesterday that all women players registered draws in the ninth round, which was the most critical in the tournament as it decided medalists. 

“Francis registered a draw against Jolly Nepando of Namibia, while Botlhole followed suit and drew against Michelle Fisher of South Africa,” she said.

In the open section, Olebile finished fifth while Gaealafshwe was 10th. Gumpo was placed 12th. Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Angola, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique competed in the tournament. Katisenge was not disappointed with the players’ showing, saying the results were a sign of growth.

Meanwhile, the BCF will host the Gaborone International Open at Legae Academy over the weekend. Katisenge said the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnership (ACHAP) has donated P23, 725 to sponsor the event.  

She said BCF has entered into a partnership with ACHAP to use sport as a vehicle to spread HIV/AIDS messages. 

The Gaborone International Open tournament has been running without a sponsor for years.   “The federation will use the tournament to accord players of different age categories an opportunity to play a FIDE rated tournament. The tournament is also meant to spread HIV/AIDS messages,” said Katisenge. The first prize for the prestige section is P5,000???. The women champion will pocket P3,000 while in the open section winner gets P2,000.