Masaiti pursues World chess dream

Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday April 26, 2017 14:39

The player was unlucky to lose her first match to her opponent from Peru. She has 0.5 points from her opening three matches as of yesterday. The competition has been tough for Masaiti as she lost to WFM Hilario Aleyla of Peru and Sarathchandra Gihansa of Sri Lanka and drew with Pathirana Nimla who is also from Sri Lanka.

It was not easy for Masaiti to travel to Romania due to lack of sponsorship. Her father and coach, Charles Masaiti’s resilience made the trip possible.

The Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) public relations officer, Keenese Katisenge said Masaiti is ranked 15th out of the 27 players in her section.

“She is the only African in her section. She qualified for the event in 2016 after she won the Under-15 girls section of the African Schools Chess Championship held in Lusaka, Zambia in December,” she said.

Katisenge said Masaiti has for the past two years, consistently reached the top 10 in all women sections’ open tournaments.

Meanwhile, Katisenge said different well wishers, including family members, donated funds totalling P21,000 for the Romania trip.

The funds helped with tickets for the trip as well as payments for FIDE fees, registration and visa costs.

Katisenge said BCF registered her as an official player qualifying for free accommodation and meals. 

Masaiti has been a youth champion for the Re Ba Bona Ha youth chess championship for three years in a row in the Under-14 and 16 categories. 

Masaiti’s performances in 2016

Re Ba Bona Ha Youth Under-14 champion, 2016 Africa Schools Chess Under-15 champion, Mater Spei chess festival champion, Airfficiency Chess Championships champion, En-peasant Chess Club Youth Chess Championship Under-14 champion, Botswana International Open chess championship Under-14 champion.