Chess wraps 2016 in style
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday December 22, 2016 11:49
Botswana came first at the event and the titles that were won during the contests are still awaiting approval by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) at the 2017 congress. The team brought home nine medals (four gold, one silver and four bronze medals) and eight titles.
Zambia finished second with seven medals while the 2015 overall winners, South Africa, finished third with five medals. Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) had sent a team aged between seven and 17. Atang Mosweu won a gold medal and a Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title in the Under-nine category. Laone Moshoboro won gold and a Woman Candidate Master title in the Under-seven category. Masaiti Besa won gold and a Woman FIDE Master title in the Under-15 girls’ section. Londani Tamulha scooped gold and a Woman FIDE Master title in the Under-17 girls’ section.
The silver medal was won by Tshepo Monare and he also upgraded himself with a Candidate Master title in the Under-15 boys section. Bronze medallists are: WCM Refilwe Gabatshware (Under-11 girls), CM Thabo Elias (Under-17 boys), CM Marape Marape Junior (Under-13 boys) and WCM Naledi Marape (Under-13 girls).
BCF public relations director, Keenese Katisenge told Mmegi Sport that the winners of each grouped category in both Open and girls, have been awarded personal rights to participate in the 2017 World Schools Individual Chess Championships.
“The team has made a record win for medals won in one international event by a chess national team since the inception of the BCF 34 years ago,” she said.
African Schools Chess Championships is a developmental continental youth tournament, which was introduced in 2015 for players under the age of 17, (Under-seven, Under-nine, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 Open and girls).