Young Gumbo Impresses In Olympiad Debut

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Monday October 25, 2010 00:00

 

 The reserve player, who made it to the Botswana Olympiad squad ahead of experienced chessmen played six games and lost only two at the event. He won three times and drew against a Fide Master (FM) from Guatemala.

He was played in Round Four as a substitute for Barileng Gaealafswe and defeated an unrated Namibian, Simon Hatwiikuli Shidolo in 39 moves with the black pieces. He replaced FM Phemelo Khetho in Round Seven and made it two wins in a row. He played with the black pieces against unrated  Andriamandimbisoa Hariso from Madagascar.

To emphasise his supremacy, Gumbo promoted a pawn in mid game. He was played again in Round Eight as a substitute for Gaealafswe against Zambia. However, just as Gumbo seemed to be doing fine against Andrew  Kayonde, he somehow failed to see a deadly rook fork with a check!

Despite the setback, he gave indications that he can [not] be thrown in the deep end. He was fielded in Round Nine, replacing Providence Oatlhotse in the match against Guatemala. His game against FM Johnny Alexander Ortiz (2179) ended in a rather funny draw after only 12 moves.

The positions of both players on the board suggested it was a negotiated result. Gumbo's impressive showing was to be rewarded with an extended run as he replaced the off-form Gaealafswe in Round 10 against Japan.

However, he was crushed in end game by Ryuji Nakamura (2187). Gumbo redeemed himself in Round 11 (replacing Khetho) against Mauritania. He outclassed Mohamed Dah Heiba in the end game to complete his fairy tale at the chess Olympiad.