Chess championships brew surprises
Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday March 11, 2015 13:58
Candidate Master Barileng Gaealafshwe and Woman International Master, Tshepiso Lopang made surprise exits. Gaealafshwe finished in position 11 with four points in the Open Section while Lopang finished 13th in the women’s section with 3,5 points.
The youngsters in the tournament displayed some determination to book themselves slots in the finals.
The open section saw Tsaone Mokgedi, Otsile Mapini and Clifford Masole qualify for the finals. It was the first time Mokgedi progressed in the finals. In the women’s section, Koziba Mokhuzeni of Mc Connel College surprised all when she beat the likes of Lopang and Boitshepo Rebatenne and registered a draw with Woman International Master Kgalalelo Botlhole to qualify in second spot.
The tournament was attended by 23 players in the open section and 17 in the women’s S=section. The finals of the championships will be held during the Easter holidays in Gaborone.
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 fetches 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 and positions seven to 10 will get P1, 500 each. Prizes for women’s section are 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 each. Players in both categories who fail to qualify for the finals will get a consolation prize of P250 each.