The opener held at Mogodistahne senior over the weekend kick started the chess calendar on a high note with an increase of 68 percent in attendance from last year's.Fide Master Ignatius Njobvu finished with six points after losing to IM Oatlhotse. Njobvu won himself P1, 000 and a medal, while the defending champion Fide Master Phemelo Khetho finished third on six points as well, pocketing P750 and a medal). Kheto lost to Candidate Master Barileng Gaealafswe who finished fifth and walked away with P400.An upcoming junior star Oaitse Kokome is the only player to have taken away any point from the ultimate champion IM Oatlhotse during the tournament, as he held the Im to a draw.He finished fourth and as rewarded with P550 for his efforts.The women section saw some young blood taking over.
Woman Candidate Master Onkemetse Francis became the women's champion with six points after losing only a point to another junior female player Woman Fide Master Kgalalelo Botlhole who came second. Woman International Master Boikhutso Mudongo came third. All the top three female players got six points out of seven and each won P683, the champion got a medal, trophy and certificate.Candidate Master Priyav Chandna won the boys' junior section from Bonyonyo Chess Club as under-14 and Ikageng Mabangane from Mahutagane CJSS in Shoshong as under-16. Both players received gold medals, trophies, certificates and P200 cash each.In the girls' bracket, Mam Pomposh from Bonyonyo Chess Club won as under-14 and Mosa Ramonogana from Moruakgomo CJSS in Kanye as under-16 and both received gold medals, certificates, trophies and P200 each.The tournament was made possible with P12, 000 received from Airfficiency (Pty) Ltd, suppliers of scientific and medical equipment who were supporting the tournament for the fourth time in a row. The company has made a commitment to make the event even bigger and better next year.
