09 Oct 2014

Chess clubs will this weekend (October 11-12) tussle for supremacy at the inaugural Debswana Club Weekend Challenge that will be played under the swiss teams’ format system.

The two-day competition sponsored by Debswana Diamond Company at P20 000 will be held at Yarona Country Lodge in Mogoditshane.  The nine rounds challenge, which would serve as build-up to the annual national clubs championships next month, will feature all chess clubs affiliated to Botswana Chess Federation (BCF).

“We have eight clubs that have affiliated for 2014 so far but have extended the deadline to Friday to give other clubs a chance,” said Keenese Katisenge, the BCF public relations director.

Katisenge explained that each club will be allowed to field six competitors comprising four main players of any gender in the first four boards, with boards five and six reserved for female and under-21 players respectively.

She said the event is in line with the commitment made in the BCF strategy of increasing activity and strength of chess clubs through increased competitions.  She said the federation intends to make it an annual competition.

“This is going to be one of the most exciting and competitive chess events in the BCF calendar. 

The event is expected to bring together strong chess players from different clubs across the country, who will battle it out in the spirit of defending and demonstrating superiority of their clubs,” added Katisenge. Laptops, trophies, medals and cash prizes will be awarded to winners. ENDS