Botswana players toil at chess championship
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday September 25, 2014 15:51
Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) spokesperson, Keenese Katisenge said Marape had two victories and three losses at the champions.
Other players, Bofelo Moupi, Waabo Makwati, Marape Marape Junior, Nchidzi Motshusi, Susan Sethebe and Chawana Casino had collected a single point each. Celestinah Dambe is yet to win a game. Other players representing the country are Onneetse Rankwane, Tebogo Chilume, Mbaki Sonny and Bernard Chaka.
The tournament ends on September 30. The championships is organised by South African Chess Federation with the backing of the World Chess Federation (FIDE).
Meanwhile, BCF will host the Botswana International Open Chess Championships during the Independence Day holiday at Legae Academy in Gaborone. Kalahari Associates Botswana and Debswana Mining Company sponsor the tournament to the tune of P65, 000. Katisenge said the sponsorship would go a long way in enhancing the reputation of the event and making it the biggest on the BCF calendar.
Katisenge said the tournament has, over the years, become renowned for bringing together the best chess players from Southern Africa.
“We have invited reputable players from other countries and so far we have received registrations from Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. This tournament is the only major event in the country where players from the SADC region compete,” she said.
Kelvin Chumfwa of Zambia won the Open Section last year and Woman International Master, Boikhutso Mudongo bagged the women’s title.
Katisenge said the tournaments group together players with different strengths and understanding.
She said the competition gives young players an opportunity to test their strength against the best in the region. Katisenge said over the years, the championship has seen a steady increase in the number of players who participate in the annual tournament.