31 Aug 2015

Botswana’s Abhiram Sasitharan was recently crowned the overall champion of the African Schools Individual Chess Champion and most importantly decorated with an international chess title of Fide Master.

The tournament played in Tlokweng attracted a total of 119 players aged between 6-17 years from Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the hosts Botswana. Sasitharan emerged the finest following his triumph in the most competitive category being the open section which fielded toughest players some who are highly ranked internationally.

Fifteen year old Sasitharan finished at the top of the score board after winning six games, with a single draw and two losses amassing 6.5 points.

The youngster could not contain his excitement after being promoted to the Fide Master title, “I have been waiting for this moment for four years, finally my hard work has paid off,” he stated. He noted that being a Candidate Master for four years motivated him to work harder so that he could assume another higher title being FM.

He stated that going into the tournament he did not have any specific strategy all he did was play and enjoy chess of which the results paid off. However the chess player said the tournament was tough in that countries fielded their best players in all the categories.

Sasitharan attributed his exceptional results to his parents whom he noted they support him immensely attending all his games and also giving him courage whether he wins or loses. To the young and upcoming chess players he advised them to keep working hard and never quit even if they lose.

South Africa’s Caleb Samuel came second while Sifiso Ncube of Zimbabwe came third in the Under 17 open section.

The Under 17 girls title went to Charne Woolf of South Africa, Botswana’s Koziba Kemoiile and Namibia’s Nicola Tjaronda won silver and bronze medals respectively. South Africans dominated the Under 15 open section scooping all medals by Andrew  Grimmbacher, Bartoli Flores and Daniel Marais in position one, two and three respectively.

Under 15 girls title went to yet another South African Woman Candidate Master Dantelle Joubert with Zimbabwe’s Kundai Murinda in position two and South African Annette Van Wyk in bronze.

South Africans continued to dominate as they finished at the podium for the Under 13 by World Grand Master Hanri Engelbrecht, Anke Claassen and Ilse Brugman. Under 13 open section was won by South Africa’s Cailin Chetty, Namibia’s Dante Beukes and Botswana’s Candidate Master Amaresh Kathiresan in second and third spot respectively.

Another young Motswana Naledi Marape made Botswana proud winning a gold in the Under 9 girls supported by South African duo of Savannah Ahjum and Lisa Brugman in position two and three. Under 9 boys medals went to three Candidate Masters, Ethan Webber with gold, Shayur Vather silver both from South Africa and Botswana’s Iphazha Masala settling for bronze.

Speaking during the tournament closing ceremony BNSC chairperson Solly Reikeletseng said school sport has always been neglected hence the tournament channeled energy into the right direction.

He commended the parents for doing an exceptional job in supporting their children which he said can only be witnessed in chess. 

“Attending such tournaments gives your children a boost when they see you because children are moulded by parents who give them proper guidance.”

Botswana Chess Federation Tshenolo Maruatona stated that the event was one of a kind in Africa adding that he is happy that Botswana took a chance to host it. He said as Africa they need to take it upon themselves to grow chess rather than leave everything to the world governing body FIDE.

Maruatona said the tournament was a success as everyone was excited about the play and even the hospitality they received which makes Botswana competitive in sport tourism. Ends