Women chess players ready despite dates shift
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday April 18, 2019 12:28
The women’s tournament has been moved to a later date due to the absence of seven players who are competing at the World Schools Chess Championship in Antalya, Turkey.
While the women’s section would be on hold, the Open section will go ahead as expected. Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) president, Mothokomedi Thabano said the seven players who left for Turkey won gold medals at the Africa Schools Chess Championship in 2018.
Thabano said the women’s competition would be played immediately after the team returns next week. While there has been a shift in dates, women’s players are undeterred and are raring to go. Defending champion, Woman International Master (WIM) Kgalalelo Botlhole would be eyeing her second championship after she grabbed the title for the first time last year. “Defending a title comes with pressure and as much as I want to defend it, other players want to win it. I have been working with my coach to improve my game and we are reviewing my performance from last year,” she said.
Botlhole said she feels her biggest threat is the log leader, WIM Boikhutso Modongo, who is on top form. She said other young players such as Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Refilwe Gabatshwarwe and Woman Fide Master (WFM) Besa Masaiti are hungry for a championship title.
“The national championship is a lengthy tournament that requires endurance and stamina. You can play six hours a day and fatigue can kick in along the way. You could also lose the first round, which means you need the courage to deal with setbacks,” Botlhole said.
When asked about her favourite chess piece, she said it is the pawn as it can be anything on the board, while other pieces have limited movements. She added that a pawn becomes handy when she is in trouble. Modongo, who has been dominating the national championship since 1999, was a bit disappointed with the postponement. “I was shaken to learn that our category has been postponed. I was ready for it but I would not be deterred,” she said. She said tough battles are expected during the championship, as there are many players who are a threat. Modongo said some of the qualities that make her to stand out from the rest of the players are passion and determination.
Modongo’s favourite piece is the bishop as it can spring an unexpected attack. When asked which of the two first moves, e4 or d4, she prefers, Modongo chose the former, as she is a consistent player. “e4 has many replies, I have experience on it and I know how my opponents would reply every time. You cannot play for draw with e4, you finish off your opponent all the time,” she said.
Modongo said she spends an hour everyday working on the checkered board. The winner of the women’s section will pocket P8, 000, with the first runner-up receiving P6, 000 while P4, 000 goes to the third-placed player. The Open Section winner banks P10, 000 with P7, 000 for second position and P6,000 for the second runner-up.