25 Sep 2014

Over 300 chess players are expected to enter the draw for the Botswana International Open Chess Championships to start on September 27.

The four-day competition, which ends on Independence Day, will be held at Legae Academy in Gaborone. The public relations director of Botswana Chess Federation (BCF), Keenese Katisenge said the competition had received a combined sponsorship package from two companies.

She said Kalahari Associates Botswana had sponsored the event with P25 000 while Debswana Mining Company provided P40 000. 

She also pointed that Debswana had provided an additional P20 000, which will be used to sponsor the Debswana Clubs Weekend Challenge which will be held after the Botswana International Open. She said the competition would be into three parts, the prestige section, which would be open to all top rated players, ladies section, and the B-section which is open to all unrated players and the youth.

Katisenge said first prize for the prestige section will be P10 000, while the one for the ladies section is P6 000. She said BCF had extended invitations to reputable players around Africa and had so far received registrations from Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

“Botswana International Open is renowned for bringing together the best chess players from across Southern Africa.  The event has earned its position as the country’s best attended event,” said Katisenge.

She said the competition brings together an array of players with different chess understanding and strength, and presents opportunities for younger players to test their strength and Africa’s toughest players.

Top rated Botswana female player, women international master, Boikhutso Modongo will be the defending champion in the ladies section after winning the competition last year. The prestige section was won by Zambia national, Kelvin Chumfwa. ENDS