Khetho, Francis begin title defence
Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday March 4, 2015 14:00
The qualifiers will take place at the Oasis Motel in Tlokweng on Saturday and Sunday.
Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) spokesperson, Keenese Katisenge said they expect surprises in the competition.
She told Mmegi Sport yesterday that the federation selected the top 23 players from the Open Section and top 17 women for the Women Section from the first round qualifiers held last month.
She said the arrival of Khetho and Francis would increase the number of participants to 24 in the Open Section and 18 in the Women Section.
She said it was difficult to predict how the competition will end because any player, who has qualified for the second round, is capable of becoming the national champion.
Katisenge said young players might cause an upset because of their performance in the past tournaments.
“The top 10 men and women from both sections will be selected for the finals to fight out for the coveted national championship title. The finals will take place over the Easter holidays in Gaborone,” she said.
Some of the players who have qualified for the second round of the competition are International Master Providence Oatlhotse, Clifford Masole, Keletshabile Monnatsheko, Candidate Master Sasitharan Abhiram, FIDE Master Thato Olebile, Abdul Kamara, Candidate Master Thabo Gumpo, Candidate Master Moakofi Notha, Francis Banda and Candidate Master Barileng Gaealafshwe.
The top 10 women who will battle it out over the weekend are Woman Grand Master Tuduetso Sabure, Boitshepo Rebatenne, Thatayaone Seleka, Woman International Master Boikhutso Mudongo, Gorata Leso, Woman International Master Kgalalelo Botlhole, Woman FIDE Master Thapelo Francis, Woman International Master Tshepiso Lopang, Chicole Libertina and Koziba Mokhuzeni.
The championship is sponsored to the tune of P120, 000 by Metropolitan Botswana, an increase from P108, 750 from last year.
The winner in the Open Section will walk away P9, 000 richer, while the second prize is P7, 000 and the third place player will receive P5, 000.
The player who finishes the competition in the fourth prize will pocket P3, 500 and P2, 500 is reserved for fifth place.
For finishing sixth there is P2, 000 prize while positions seven to 10 will get P1, 500.
Prizes for women’s section as follows: P6, 000 for the winner, P4, 500 for second prize and P2, 900 for third position.
Fourth up to fifth position gets P2, 000 and P1, 600 respectively. The prize for sixth position is P1, 500 and P1, 300 is for the player who finishes in seventh position. Women players who end the competition in position eight to 10 will get P1, 250. Players in both categories who fail to qualify for the finals will get a consolation prize of P250 each.