12 Aug 2015

The chess fraternity in Botswana has come together to assist International Master (IM) Providence Oatlhotse prepare sufficiently for the Millionaire Chess Tournament, which will be held in Las Vagas, USA in October.

Oatlhotse, the highest rated chess player in Botswana, recently won an international tournament in South Africa which secured him a spot at the prestigious Millionaire Chess Tournament.

This past weekend, Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) and some top players held a high profile two-day tournament in Mogoditshane aimed at giving the chess star the much needed match practice.

The tournament, dubbed ‘Who Is Who’, brought together the 10 strongest players including Oatlhotse himself, Thato Olebile, Baone Kealeboga, Barileng Gaealafswe, Moakofhi Notha, Thabo Gumpo, Mosenya Ndawana, Mopati Jobe, Bright Sinkamba and Otsile Mapini.

Gumpo snatched the title after winning five matches and drawing one to finish with 5.5 points from seven rounds. He bagged P1 800 first prize, a gold medal and a trophy.

The trio of Oatlhotse, Olebile, and Gaealafshwe finished behind Gumpo with five points each. Oatlhotse won four matches against Kealeboga, who is the reigning Roscoe Bonna Tournament and Masters Tournament champion; Olebile, who is the reigning Gaborone Open and Maun Open champion; Jobe and Mapini.

He was held to two draws by Gumpo and Gaealafshwe, and suffered a loss against Notha in round six. BCF President Tshenolo Maruatona applauded the players for coming together to help one of their own. BNSC chairman Solly Reikeletseng, who graced the tournament, promised support from the sports mother body. ENDS