10 Feb 2015

A few upsets and surprises were witnessed in the 2015 Metropolitan National Chess Championships first qualifiers in Gaborone where a total of 131 players battled it out for a spot in the semifinals.

Top 17 players from the women's section and 23 from the open section were selected for the March 7-8 semifinals.

The selected pack will be joined by defending champions, Woman International Master Onkemetse Francis and Fide Master Phemelo Khetho on the women section and open section respectively at the semifinals.

On February 8 International Master (IM) Providence Oatlhotse finished on a clean slate wiping off Thabo Mariri in the final with 1-0 ensuring him a top spot in the quarter finals of the open section as he amassed a total of 7.5 points.

Clifford Masole also had a good run accumulating maximum points in the early rounds subsequently pocketing 7.5 points in total though he drew against Gaealafshwe Barileng in the closing round.

Women Grand Master Tuduetso Sabure surely made a grand return as she finished at the summit in the ladies section with 6 points after tying up with Thapelo Francis in the last round.

The ladies section was a tightly contested one as majority of players closed up with 6 points the likes of Boitshepo Rebatenne, Thatayaone Seleka, WIM Boikhutso Mudongo, Gorata Leso, WIM Kgalalelo Botlhole, WFM Thapelo Francis and WIM Tshepiso Lopang.

The open section saw new faces like Kuda Bayani, Thabo Mariri, Thato Geelson Onkabetse Mogale cause upsets to end up in the top 23.

Open section contestants, Baone Kealeboga, Kenneth Bokhutswhane and Ndawana Mosenya who have tasted the semifinals pastures before were unfortunate on the day as they failed to proceed.

It was the same story in the ladies section as Chicole Libertina, Lone Olefile and Botshelo Ranko knocked out some of the seasoned players like Lame Kolaatamo, Abha and Pamposh Mam. The finals will be hosted during the Easter holidays when only 10 players from each category will compete for the most coveted title. ENDS