19 Oct 2014

Veteran chess player Baone Kealeboga, who produced an eight game winning streak to claim the  Roscoe Bonna Chess Tournament open section title, says the level of play at the blitz rated competition was high.

The 11 rounds speed chess competition organised by Botswana Chess Federation was held at the University of Botswana on Saturday. 

Kealeboga, who returned to chess recently after a one year absence from BCF competitions, shot to the top of the pile with a string of eight consecutive victories between round two and nine.

That run by the Bonyonyo Chess Club player took in massive wins against International Master (IM) Providence Oatlhotse in round six, and Candidate Masters (CM) Barileng Gaealafshwe and Oaitse Kokome in rounds seven and eight respectively.

He also drew with FIDE Master, Thato Olebile in round 10 to finish the day with a total of 8.5 points, while four players came behind him with 8 points. Even though he was beaten by FIDE Master Phemelo Khetho in the last round, the result was academic as a draw between his nearest rivals Oatlhotse and Moakofi Notha meant that no player could catch his tally of 8.5 points.

“I am very happy to win the title because the level of competition was very high today.

 I have not been playing chess for about a year, so I am happy I won, I wanted to show them that I am not finished yet,” said Kealeboga who pocketed P1 200 first prize together with a trophy and gold medal.

He warned other players to desist from cheating when they were losing games. “There was a problem with some players who lacked sportsmanship. 

They tried unnecessary tricks in an attempt to gain unfair advantage when they realised that they were losing.”

Olebile, Khetho, Notha and Oatlhotse finished behind Kealeboga with eight points respectively. 

All the 43 players were pooled together with men and women playing together and the player who finished with the most points was crowned the open section champion.

The player who finished with the most points among ladies was crowned the ladies section champion, which went to Women International Master (WIM) Kgalalelo Botlhole with a total of six points. Botlhole, who was winning the ladies section for the second year in a row got P1 000 in prize monies.

She was followed by another WIM, Onkemetse Francis who had 5.5 points, while Women Grand Master (WGM) Tuduetso Sabure settled for third place also with 5.5 points.

Long time backers of the competition Roscoe Bonna sponsored this year’s edition with P8 000. Roscoe Bonna has supported the tournament for the past 13 years. ENDS