Botswana hosts International Chess Championships

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Friday December 10, 2010 00:00

 

A tough competition is expected considering that five International Masters (IM) have confirmed participation.

They are Robert Gwaze and Farai Mandizha both from Zimbabwe, Stanley Chumfwa and Chitumbo Mwale of Zambia and South Africa's Johannes Mabusela. The competition will be held at Roads Training Centre in Gaborone. The overall winner will walk away with P7,000.

Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) secretary general, Kenneth Boikhutswane has said the competition will give players a chance to improve their international rankings. Local stars expected to take part in the event are Fide Master (FM) Phemelo Khetho, Candidate Masters (CM) Barileng Gaealashwe, Ignatius Njobvu, Providence Oatlhotse and Thabo Gumpo in the men's event.  Woman Grand Master (WGM) Tuduetso Sabure, Women Fide Masters (WFM) Boikhutso Mudongo, Kgalalelo Botlhole and Women Candidate Master Tshepiso Lopang are some of the players who carry Botswana's hopes.

Meanwhile, Boikhutswane has said 2010 was one of the most successful years for local chess although he acknowledges there is still room for improvement. He said local players have not improved their competitiveness although they rose in rankings.

'That (rankings) is not enough we want them to bring medals home,' Boikhutswane said. He said that to improve the situation, they plan to employ a full time coach for national teams. Local chess players have been training on their own as the association felt the appointment of a coach was unnecessary. 

Though it is normal in chess to train and play without a coach, Boikhutswane said there were instances where they realised the players could have performed better with the guidance of a coach. 'Not having a coach did not help us,' he said.

He stated that this year, BCF managed to secure more sponsors and increase the membership. He said their intention is to use chess not only as a sport but as an educational tool.

He said progress has been made as they are in dialogue with the Ministry of Education on the matter. 'We have not agreed anything as yet but they understand our position,' he said.