Zambians continue to dominate Debswana Chess Championship
Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday October 4, 2017 16:32
The unbreakable trend continued into its fourth year over the long weekend when International Master (IM), Daniel Jere won the prestige section. Last year, the category was won by IM Gillian Byalwa who did not participate this year.
IM Jere’s trip back home was made sweet after he bagged a cool P12,000. The second position went to fellow countryman, Simutuwe Musatwe who pocketed P8,500, with another Zambian, IM Chitombo Mwali coming third and taking home P5,667.
The women did likewise, with Zambian Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Mwango Lorita scoping the top title, taking home P8,000. Another Zambian, Woman International Master (WIM), Epha Jere came second and took P5,500 across the border. WIM Boikhutso Mudongo raised her hand and answered for Botswana by claiming third spot. She took home P3,750.
The Open section title also went outside the border as Zimbabwean player, Michael Munyaradzi won and received P3,500. Yaone Thekiso was second and got P2,250 with Oratile Kgotlane claiming P2,250 for finishing third.
Five countries competed in the championship; Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Uganda with over 250 players participating..
Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) president, Motlhokomedi Thabano told Mmegi Sport yesterday that Zambian players are way ahead of local players. He said the winner of the prestige category, IM Jere is one of the highly rated players in Zambia.
“That country started its development programme some years ago and they are now reaping the rewards. They are unstoppable because everything is in place. We also have the same procedure with our young players. The likes of Woman Candidate Master Naledi Marape, by the time they are 17 years, they would be unstoppable,” he said.
Thabano said the competition went very well and the competition was tough with the high number of top rated players battling it out.
Thabano said the BCF development programme is on the right track citing scooping the first position at the 2017 African Schools Individual Chess Championships.
Some of the results: Developmental youth-girls: Thandi Bonno (gold), Tumelo Timboke (silver) and Mpho Ramaselwane (bronze). Under 14: Gofa Tahla (gold), Taboka Mudongo (silver) and Tanusreee Potulapati (bronze). Under 12: Kaone Mahlako (gold), Laone Kema (silver) and Bogolo Ramphete (bronze).
Under 16 (boys): Desire Machinya (gold), Tshiamiso Seitiso (silver) and Keene Lesani (bronze), Under 14: Botlhe Lekang (gold), Masaiti Gideon (silver) and Thapelo Tsebetsame (bronze). Under 12: Tebogo Pitlagano (gold), Sriram Srihari (silver) and Mukund Marthu (bronze.
All players in the youth section pocketed P700 each. Debswana sponsored the championship to the tune of P150, 000.