22 Jul 2014

Botswana Chess Federation public relations officer, Keenese Katisenge says the Maun International Open Chess tournament was a success as it attracted a large number of participants.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2^nd Maun International Open Chess Championship at Maduo Lodge in Maun, she said the championship has become bigger and better. Katisenge noted that the tournament was initially started as a pilot project in 2013. She said it has shown potential hence the federation took a decision to make it an annual event.

A giant step in making the event more successful was taken this year when Maduo Lodge decided to sponsor the tournament. “I am impressed with the performance of the players as they have shown that chess is not a game for players in Gaborone alone, as there is a lot of potential and talent in the districts too hence the need to explore and nurture it,” she said.

Katisenge also noted that sponsors were coming on board and hoped that the tournament would grow in leaps and bounds in future. The tournament was categorised into the open section and the ladies section.

In the open section, Olebile Thato was crowned champion, Gumpo Thabo got second position while Sabure Bojosi came third. Still under the open section, three students, Boikobo John, Kingsely Mokwena and Sixmonths Prince took first, second and third positions respectively.

In the ladies section, Sakura Bonolo, Motshuso Nchidzi and Sokisi Malebogo got first, second and third positions respectively. All the winners received prizes. The sponsor, Mogomotsi Masole assured the federation that he would continue to support them, adding that he wants to see the tournament growing in terms of attendants.

He requested that the prize money be increased to motivate players so that they could take sports seriously and compete internationally.

Meanwhile, a press statement from the federation has described Maun as a town which has a rich chess history. It is described as the first town in Botswana and in Sub-Saharan Africa to produce a Woman Grand Master (WGM) in Tuduetso Sabure.

Maun, says the statement, has also produced national chess team players such as Candidate Master (CM) Tebogo Pitlagano and Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Ontiretse Sabure.

It has also produced an under 14 boy by the name of Kingsley Mokwena of Tsodilo Junior Secondary School who represented Botswana at the African Youth Chess Championships in South Africa in September 2012 says the release. ENDS