13 Aug 2014

Botswana women chess stars, Kgalalelo Botlhole and Onkemetse Francis’ titles have been upgraded by the world governing body FIDE.

The two players were recently upgraded to Women International Master (WIM), which is the second highest following the Grand Master.

The Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) said on Monday that both players were promoted after their stellar performances during the 2014 Zone 4.3 Chess Championships where they jointly came second behind WIM, Denise Frick from South Africa. 

Kgalalelo, 22, has been holding a Women Fide Master (WFM) title since 2010, the same as Onkemetse, also 22. Onkemetse is currently enjoying one of her best seasons having won the Metropolitan National Chess Championships in April.

The good news came as the two players were representing Botswana at the ongoing Chess Olympiad in Tromso, which is the highest competition any chess player could compete at.

Keenese Katisenge, the BCF publicity director said the upgrading has increased the number of WIMs to four in Botswana. Boikhutso Modongo and Tshepiso Lopang are other players holding WIM titles.

“The increase in the number of titled players in Botswana will have a positive impact on the quality of international players Botswana tournaments will attract.  Batswana players also now stand a good chance of receiving increased invitations to international events.”

She explained that the BCF has set itself the objective of improving local players’ performance internationally and increase the number of FIDE titled players in Botswana. ENDS