01 Sep 2016

Botswana youngsters have returned from the African Youth Chess Championship which was held last week in South Africa with two medals.

Woman candidate master Naledi Marape won silver medal with seven points in the girls’ under-10 category, while candidate master Iphazha Masala claimed bronze with 6.5 points in the boys’ under-10 category.

The tournament which was held in Port Elizabeth was played over nine rounds. Marape, one of the brightest chess prospects in the country, won seven of her under-10 category matches and lost two against eventual champion, woman candidate master Aarti Datharam and bronze medalist Charlotte Millard both South Africans.

Masala won six matches, drew one and suffered two defeats against candidate master Safin Benyahia from Algeria and Gosrani Reeyan from Kenya. The boys’ under-10 title was won by Benyahia.

Botswana sent a total of 16 players to represent the country in the under-10 to the under-18 age categories.

 

Below is how other players in the team fared:

Karabo Sakuze (Boys Under-18) 4 points

Romeo Makgobi (Boys Under-16) 5 points

Marape Marape Junior  (Boys Under-14) 4.5 points

Kalidas Rayirath (Boys Under-14) 4 points

Botlhe Lekang (Boys Under-12) 6 points

Gideon Masaiti (Boys Under-12)  3.5 points

Thuto Mpene (Boys Under-8) 4.5 points

Khumo Palesa Mooketsi (Girls Under-18) 5 points

Susan Sethebe (Girls Under-16) 5 points

Besa Masaiti (Girls Under-14) 5 points

Refilwe Gabatshwane (Girls Under-12) 4.5 points

Ketshepile Otisitswe (Girls Under-12) 4 points

Laone Moshoboro (Girls Under-8) 4 points

Tlhalefo Rankwane (Girls Under-8) 4 points. ENDS