Chess academy embarks on 'limitless' talent search

Calistus Kolantsho | Friday July 20, 2018 13:49

The academy will host the inaugural Botswana International Junior Open Chess Championship under the auspices of Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) in December. 

As a build up to the championship, Limitless Minds, in partnership with the Botswana Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted (BAPS) will host a refresher workshop for trainers on Sunday in Gaborone. The refresher workshop would also give Limitless and BAPS the opportunity to review concepts and skills the trainers acquired from the first trainers workshop, which was held in February 2018.

Ten trainers would take part in the workshop, which will conclude with a mini chess tournament for the trainers as a way of helping polish the playing skills of some of the active senior chess players from the BAPS.

The players also served as trainers for the visually impaired chess programme when it was rolled out in Mochudi. Limitless Minds founder, Keenese Katisenge told Mmegi Sport this week that they have introduced programmes designed to meet the needs of different communities within the society. “Chess for the visually impaired is complementing the efforts of BCF and those of the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) in a way. BCF is supportive of our initiatives,” she said.

Katisenge said hosting the Botswana International Junior Open Chess Championship increases the weight of their contribution to the development and advancement of chess in the continent. She said their commitment is the inclusion of the marginalised and disadvantaged groups.

“Botswana is steadily becoming the hub of sporting activity and it is our growth strategy as Limitless Minds to spread our footprint and take the game to other corners of the country,” Katisenge said. She said the end of year championship is open to all young players from age categories of Under Seven up to Under 21. She said there is no restriction in the number of players to be registered by countries per section but the players must be below the respective age groups.

The December competition’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) comprises Charles Masaiti (Rock and Roll Chess Masters), Davies Banda (Chess Motifs), Vincent Masole (Chess Interactions) and Katisenge of Limitless Minds.