18 Aug 2016

 The inaugural edition of BOTASH International Open Chess Championships will be held in Sowa over the weekend.

The seven-round competition, which has been divided into open, ladies and youth sections, is aimed at facilitating the development of chess in Sowa and surrounding areas.

Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) public relations director, Keenese Katisenge, has said that the competition would help to increase the number of sporting activities in Sowa and advance the drive to use sport as a tool for development.

She further said the event resonates with one of the key deliverables of BCF, which was to spread chess to all corners of the country. 

She also stated that it would offer students and players another platform to unlock their chess talent.

The first five rounds will be played between 9am and 6pm on Saturday, while the last two rounds will be held on Sunday.

Katisenge said the tournament was open to foreign players as well.

Botswana Ash (BOTASH) Mine has sponsored the competition with P40 000. ENDS