Khetho to overtake Njobvu in chess rankings

FIDE Master (FM) Phemelo Khetho could be the country's highest ranked player come July should his games at the just-ended national chess championships be rated. The Botswana national champion scored an impressive 5.5 out of six points in the finals to take the crown for the third successive year.

Ignatius Njobvu, the country's strongest player did not take part in the finals as he had missed the first round qualifiers. This will have a significant impact on who is Botswana's top player on July 1.

In the latest rankings released on April 1, Njobvu is still the country's leading chessman, a position he has occupied since last July.  Botswana players have not taken part in any rated tournaments since then and as such, their latest rankings are unchanged. Khetho will keep his fingers crossed that Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) sends the results of last weekend's national championships to FIDE for rating purposes.

Editor's Comment
Mob justice isn't just

A young man suspected of breaking into a car was seized by residents, severely assaulted, and died in the hospital within an hour. We unreservedly condemn this mob justice. It is not a solution to crime, but a criminal offence that turns citizens into murderers.Residents are understandably angry about theft. The person who raised the alarm at 4am acted lawfully, and the neighbours who rushed to help showed community spirit. But what followed was...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up