03 May 2015

A team of five chess players flew to Egypt on Friday (May 1) to represent Botswana at the 2015 Africa Individual Chess Championships.

The two-week tournament, which commenced in Giza on Saturdaywould be played in the open and ladies sections and brought together the continent’s best chess players. The team comprises International Master (IM) Providence Oatlhotse and Abel Dzilani.

Both would compete in the open section. There is also Woman Grand Master (WGM) Tuduetso Sabure, as well as WIM Kgalalelo Botlhole and WIM Onkemetse Francis, who would be competing in the women section.

Metropolitan National Chess Championships title holder, Oatlhotse, is viewed as the best prospect for a medal in the team, while Dzilani is looking to prove his mettle at his first continental chess championships.

Dzilani, a former national champion, is highly respected for his calm and defensive play which has made him one of the most difficult players to beat. On the ladies side, Sabure will lead the team at a time when she is enjoying a good run of form. Her recent performance at the Metropolitan Chess Championships should act as morale boost for her.

Two best placed players in the open section will automatically qualify for the chess world cup which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan in September. The players also stand a chance to upgrade their titles to that of grandmaster level as the open section and ladies section champions will be awarded the Grand Master and Woman Grand Master titles respectively.

Each section of the competition will have three time control formats, the classic, rapid and blitz. Winner of the open section will pocket USD5 000, while the ladies section winner will get USD 1 500. Ends