18 Feb 2016

The 2016 Metropolitan National Chess Championships commences with the first qualifying stage on Saturday and Sunday at Ledumang Senior Secondary School in Gaborone.

The first qualifying stage, which will be contested over nine rounds for both the open and ladies sections, is open to all chess players in Botswana.

The top 23 players from the open section will advance to the second qualifying stage at the end of the weekend competition.  The second qualifying stage will be held next month.  The top 17 players from the ladies section will also progress to the second qualifying stage.

Last season's champion in the open section International Master (IM) Providence Oatlhotse, and ladies champion Women Grand Master (WGM) Tuduetso Sabure will enter the fray in the second qualifying stage.

After the second qualifying stage, the top ten players from the open and ladies sections will advance to the finals which will be held over the Easter Holidays.

Botswana Chess Federation's public relations director, Keenese Katisenge has said that Metropolitan Botswana has committed to sponsor the championships with P120 000.  Ends