14 Mar 2016

Defending champion International Master (IM) Providence Oatlhotse heads a strong list of 10 male players who have qualified for the Metropolitan National Chess Championships finals after going through the second qualifiers unbeaten over the weekend.

Others who qualified from the open section are raising star Otsile Mapini, fide master (FM) Thato Olebile, Gomolemo Rongwane, Thuso Mosutlha, veteran Baone Kealeboga, and four candidate masters Barileng Gaealafshwe, Oaitse Kokome Moakofi Notha and Thabo Gumpo.

Oatlhotse finished the seven round competition which was played at Oasis Motel in Tlokweng with 5.5 points after winning four matches and drawing three.

He defeated candidate master Clifford Masole, Kealeboga, Olebile and Gaealafshwe but was held to draws by Notha, Mapini and Rongwane.

Mapini finished on second place with five points after winning three matches and playing four draws. Seven players were behind him with 4.5 points while Kealeboga finished with four points to compete for the ten top. There were 24 players competing for 10 slots in the open section finals. 

The finals will be held from 25-28 March at Oasis Motel.

In an interview, Oatlhotse said he was satisfied to have gone through the event unbeaten. 

However, he felt that he should have been given a bye into the finals instead of being made to compete in the qualifiers.  

“You cannot have an international master playing in events like this one. 

Basically if you have an international master in your land you should straight away put him in the finals. 

It is difficult because I have to win them at all costs when I play in these tournaments otherwise risk losing rating points,” Oatlhotse said.

He also complained about time control saying it was not conducive for international chess even though the event was internationally rated. 

Meanwhile, woman international master (WIM) Onkemetse Francis finished top of the ladies qualifiers with five points after winning three matches and drawing four. 

She won her first three rounds against Masego Sasebola, Kutlwano Tatolo, Gorata Leso but was then held to consecutive draws by Mabedi Mbo, woman international master Boikhutso Mudongo, women fide master Thapelo Francis and Boitshepo Rebatenne.

Malebogo Keleapere, Mbo, Mudongo, Thapelo Francis, Leso, Kgomotso Ndachipiwa, Rebatenne, Boitumelo Radikoro and woman candidate master Besa Masaiti also qualified for the finals in the ladies section. 

However defending champion woman grandmaster (WGM) Tuduetso Sabure has missed out of defending her title after failing to play in the qualifiers. Ends