09 Feb 2016

Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) held the first of three national chess team selection tournaments over the weekend in Gaborone.

Botswana’s elite players such as Woman International Master (WIM), Mudongo Boikhutso, Francis Onkemetse and Lopang Tshekiso were among the contestants at the tournament.

A few new entrants into the fray who qualified for the second round of the team selection process was nine-year-old Morape Naledi, who scored an impressive four points. Alongside her was Mooketsi Khumo who qualified with three and a half points.

On the men side, International Master, Providence Oatlhotse went through ahead of the pack with six points. 

On second place was Barileng Gaealafshwe with five points and right behind him Thato Olebile followed with equal points.

In an interview with the spokesperson of BCF, Keenese Katisinge said the tournament was beyond their expectations, stating that it was a good thing to see players coming out in huge numbers for the first stage of the selection.

“We invited 43 men and 20 ladies who will go through two more selections. The selection will end up with the top five from both sides and those who succeed will represent the country at the international level,” she said.

Katisinge explained that BCF invited players based on their performance and their recent activity level. 

She said the decision was informed by the players FIDE ratings as provided by the World Chess Federation (FIDE).

She said the tournament proved that there is a balance between senior professional players and established players to those who are still upcoming players. She credited the attribute to hard work by the young players.

“I should point out that even though the tournament was just the first leg of the qualifiers, I applaud the players for regarding the games with high interest,” she added.

Moreover, she said the tournament was the first of its kind since using the national team criteria that saw off young players being afforded a chance to play against elite players.

She said the criteria was collectively decided upon by the federation, which will allow young players to be pooled against others in a bid to secure a place in the national team.

“In the past we used to seat and select players whom we regarded as good, we would put up about eight players then list their names as our national team players,” she explained.

Thus by considering the FIDE rankings instead of hand picking individuals whom we considered power houses alone, but equally affording those who are ranked by FIDE.

Hence she said the likes of young players like Kamara Abdul, Naledi and Khumo qualified for the next round. The next round of the selection is expected in March.

She also said the criteria will come in handy for the federation, looking into the future when the elite players are long gone. Meaning the young players since afforded equal chance would have developed into better players. ENDS