The first stage of the marathon preliminary tournament starts at the National Stadium tomorrow till Sunday when four rounds will be completed. The top four after 18 rounds will be joined By FIDE Master (FM) Phemelo Khetho and Ignatius Njobvu in the next stage. National champion Providence Oatlhotse has already qualified for the team bound for the Dresden Olympiad.
The ten players who have been invited for the play-offs are Baone Kealeboga, Barileng Gaealafshwe, Bojosi Sabure, Cinky Boikanyo, Dumisani Mfanenyama, Edwin Kabelo, Kenneth Boikhutswane, Moakofi Notha, Olebogeng Hosiah and Tebogo Pitlagano. The play-off format has already received criticism from a number of players who have termed it as unnecessarily long. Many have argued that based on the fact that this is a preliminary, it should be played as a single round-robin event. To play eighteen rounds means four weekends must be devoted to chess, with most of the players having to take Fridays off at their work places. This, they say, will not go down well with their employers. Some players have complained that it will be very costly to play in the event because of travelling expenses. Others said that in such a lengthy competition, it is possible that some games will be fixed, especially in the last stages. Proponents of a shorter event argue that nine rounds are enough for the good players to finish tops.
Despite the complaints, the games promise to be hard-fought affairs as the players involved are the best in the country. That the field is composed of generally attacking players means the spectators will not have a dull moment. The inclusion of Kealeboga is sure to raise interest levels. His play is usually characterised by fearsome attacks. Others who are likely to spice up the event are Sabure and Pitlagano. Already many are saying the play-offs will have better games than the national championship finals, which was contested only by those who prefer positional play.
