28 Sep 2015

Botswana Chess Federation (BCF)’s most anticipated and prime chess tournament, Botswana International Open Chess Championships, has received P80 000 sponsorship from Debswana.

The tournament which runs over the independence holidays, is renowned for bringing together the best chess players from across southern Africa with over 300 contestants vying for the crown last year.

The tournament has over the years attracted reputable players from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa with Zambian born International Master (IM), Chitumbo Mwali, as defending champion.

Botswana’s Woman International Master, Onkemetse Francis, will be looking to defend her title in the ladies section and ensure the crown remains home.

Launching the sponsorship in Gaborone Friday September 25, BCF president, Tshenolo Maruatona, described Botswana international Open as one of the biggest events in the chess calendar, having been running for years. Maruatona commended the federation for keeping the event alive.

He said the tournament appealed to a number of chess players in Africa especially those in the SADC region hence announced that some international players had already confirmed attendance.

Maruatona noted the successful tournaments BCF hosted this year with the highlight being Africa Schools Championship which attracted over 200 children.

He said from all these international meets, Batswana young players managed to obtain medals which was an indication that chess had grown in the country.

Moreover, he said the upcoming tournament offered Batswana an opportunity to showcase their talent and make the country proud. The president stated that they had committed a larger share of 67 per cent of sponsorship to the price money.

Maruatona said the most lucrative category which is the prestige section and fielding top seeded players, carried a P10 000 cash prize with the Open and Ladies section champions scooping P3000 each.

Botswana’s top rated chess player, International Master Providence Oatlhotse, stated that he was ready to take on top rated players in SADC region including defending champion Mwali.

However, Oatlhotse stated that he had never won this tournament, only managing to play the last round.

He said some of his opponents from the SADC region had challenged him to compete in the tournament so they could meet on the chess board and see who emerges victorious.

IM Oatlhotse will use the tournament to prepare for the Millionaire Chess Tournament slated for Las Vegas, USA from October 8-12.
Meanwhile, Botswana international Open will be hosted at Legae Academy from September 30 to October 4. ENDS