24 Jul 2014

Following her recent performance at the 2014 Zone 4.3 Chess Championships that were held in Windhoek, Namibia in June where she won silver for Botswana, the World Chess Federation (FIDE) has bestowed the title of Woman Fide Master (WFM) on Onkemetse Francis.

This now brings the number of WFMs in Botswana to 3. Others are Kgalalelo Botlhole and Thapelo Francis.

BCF Public Relations Director said in an interview that this honour by FIDE means that Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) is producing and increasing the number of quality and qualified players who are being recognised worldwide.

She also said this is in line with the Federation’s current strategy of increasing the number of titled players in Botswana. She said this is advantageous to Botswana because when a country produces a lot of titled players, it attracts other countries who will send their players for tournaments so that they can come and learn.

In the case of Botswana, this means tournaments like the Botswana International Open, Maun International Open, Gaborone International Open, Francistown International Open and Airfficiency Year Opener stand a good chance of attracting strong international players.

Katisenge also said a title such as the one bestowed on Francis also works in favour of the player because they stand a chance of being invited to international tournaments and can also be exempted from paying entry fees.

Botswana has in the past also produced highly titled players like Woman International Masters (WIM), Boikhutso Modongo and Tshepiso Lopang, International Master (IM), Providence Oatlhotse, and FIDE Master (FM), Ignatious Njobvu and Phemelo Khetho. ENDS