�Copper Eagle� targets Botswana Chess Open
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday September 29, 2017 10:12
Mwali has won the tournament on two occasions, in 2014 and 2015 but was not part of the 2016 showdown. Another Zambian, International Master Gillian Bwalya won the last edition. Mwali told Mmegi Sport from Zambia that he was getting ready to board a bus to Gaborone. He said he has not been playing much chess with his last tournament having been the Malawi Open last month. He said despite that, he is ready to give his opponents a run for their money.
“I am looking forward to a tough championship especially that I expect my fellow countrymen to attend. I am the fourth rated player in my country. We have a Grand Master in Zambia,” he said.
Mwali said Botswana players should be given opportunities to play more international tournaments if they are to be amongst the best.
Mwali said he is impressed with Botswana’s junior development strategy, an indication of a bright future.
Meanwhile, Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) secretary general, Mokwaledi Tingwane said registration would be closed today, the opening day of play.
Debswana sponsors the competition for P150,000. Speaking at the event launch, Debswana head of corporate affairs, Esther Kanaimba-Senai said they are happy that they have been able to sustain a six-year relationship with BCF.
“This is made possible by the dedication and commitment of the federation in nurturing the growth of the game of chess in our country,” she said.
Kanaimba-Senai said it is the dream of every player to play for the national team from a young age of six.
The championships is divided into prestige section (open to all players rated above 2000), open section (open to all players rated 1999 and below), women section (open to all women) and developmental section (open to all youth.)
The winner of the prestige section walks away with P12,000, second position gets P8,500 while third prize winner pockets P7,000. The open section carries prize money of P3,500 with P2,500 reserved for second spot and P2,000 for third position. The women’s section winner gets P8,000 with the runner up pocketing P5,500 and third-placed player gets P4,000. The youth section winner has P700 reserved for winners in both the boys and girls’ section. The runners up receive P500 while P350 has been set aside for third place. The competition ends on Monday.