05 Oct 2015

Chitumbo Mwali and Boikhutso Modongo are champions of the Botswana Open International Chess Tournament after respectively topping the prestige and women’s sections.

Zambian chess star Mwali, an international master, successfully defended the title he won last year as he finished the nine-round prestige section with 7.5 points. Botswana’s highest ranked male player international master Providence Oatlhotse, also finished with 7.5 points, but settled for second position.

Mwali finished the competition, which started on October 1 and finished on October 3 at Legae Academy, unbeaten after winning six matches and drawing three.

He defeated Keletshabile Monnaatsheko, Abhiram Sasitharan, Spencer Masango, Musatwe Simotuwe, Barileng Gaealafshwe and Mosenya Ndawana, and played to draws against Prince Mulenga, Oatlhotse and Gillian Bwalya.

Even though he finished the tournament undefeated, Mwali said the competition was very tough.

“It was very tough this year and I tied with Providence. Last year I was clear winner. The standard of the tournament has also improved,” said Mwali, who pocketed P8 500 first prize and collected gold medal for winning the tournament.

Runner-up Oatlhotse also pocketed P8 500, while bronze medal winner Gaealafshwe got P4 500.

Modongo started the competition brightly by winning the first three rounds, but was pegged back after losing to women grand master Tuduetso Sabure and drawing against both women international master Tshepiso Lopang and Boitshepho Rebatenne in the next three rounds.

However, the veteran player stormed back with three consecutive victories, including beating defending champion Onkemetse Francis in the last round, to snatch the title with seven points, the same number as Lopang and surprise package Malebogo Keleapere who finished as runner-up. The trio got P4 000 each in prize money.

“It was very tough because I went into the last round trailing, but I prepared well for my last match,” Modongo said.

The Open Section was Onkabetse Mogale who pocketed P1 600.

Tefo Phililime won the open junior category, while Lefyedi Thatego from South Africa won the open primary category. Naledi Marape won the female junior category, while Refiwe Gabatshwarwe won the female primary category. Ends