Oatlhotse, Sabure set the bar in national chess championships
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday February 10, 2015 12:23
The International Master (IM) booked a place in the semis after garnering 7.5 points in nine rounds. He was ahead of Clifford Masole who had the same number of points but was relegated to second spot.
Oatlhotse last won the championship in 2012 for the fourth time. Other players with four wins are FIDE Master (FM), Phemelo Khetho and FM Ignatious Njobvu.
In the current edition, Keletshabile Monnatsheko and Candidate Master (CM) Abhiram Sasitharam came third and fourth with seven points over the weekend. The fifth position went to FM Thato Olebile with 6.5 points like Abdul Kamara. Candidate Masters, Thabo Gumpo and Moakofi Notha finished the competition with 6.5 points each.
Woman Grand Master (WGM), Tuduetso Sabure won the women section after a six-point three-way tie with Boitshepo Rebatenne who finished second and Thatayaone Seleka.
The fourth position was taken by Woman International Master (WIM), Boikhutso Mudongo after accumulating six points, the same as WIM Kgalalelo Botlhole, Woman FM (WFM) Thapelo Francis and WIM Tsheoiso Lopang.
Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) spokesperson, Keenese Katisenge said the first leg of the tournament was to select the best performers from the open section and the women section for the semi-finals to be held next month in Gaborone.
She said 131 players participated in the two-day event and the top 17 women and top 23 men were selected for the next leg. “The players will be joined by the defending champions who were exempted from taking part in the first leg of the competition. WIM Onkemetse Francis is the defending champion in the women’s section while FM Khetho will be defending the open section,” said Katisenge.
She explained that the national championships finals will be hosted during the Easter holidays in a round robin format. Katisenge said the winners will get cash prizes and represent Botswana at regional tournaments. Metropolitan Botswana has donated P120,000 to sponsor the event. Katisenge said the championship is on its eighth year and has produced the country’s champions.