29 Jan 2018

Barileng Gaealafshwe and Onkemetse Francis claimed the first chess silverware of 2018 by winning the year opening Airfficiency Chess Championships on January 28.

Candidate master Gaealafshwe edged fide master Phemelo Khetho and Keletshabile Monnaatsheko to the title in a closely contested open section at Mogoditshane Senior Secondary School. 

The three men finished with six points after seven rounds, but Gaealafshwe climbed to pole position after tie break with Khetho settling for silver medal and Monnaatsheko getting bronze. They each won P1 925 cash prize.

“The level of competition was very tough. There were a lot of upcoming young players who were giving us a lot of competition,” Gaealafshwe said.

He pointed that his toughest match in the tournament was in round six against Thuso Mosutha.

“I am very much looking forward to the remainder of the tournaments because the competition showed that chess is growing in Botswana. I am also defending my (national) championship this year and it is also an Olympiad year. So I am hoping that there are more big things coming,” he added.

In the ladies section, woman international master Onkemetse Francis sailed to victory after collecting 6.5 points from seven rounds, finishing a point clear of silver medallist woman fide master Londani Tamucha. Ruth Otisitswe settled for bronze medal after collecting five points.

“This tournament was a bit difficult, it was challenging. We had a lot of rising youngsters who have been very active. For me, my last tournament was in September at the Botswana Open. So it has been a while since I played, it was a bit difficult, but I managed to win because experience plays a major role in chess,” Francis said.

She said her objective this year is to make it to the chess Olympiad which is the biggest chess competition in the world, and to also compete at the Africa Individuals championships. 

Over 190 players competed in this year’s Airfficiency Chess Championships which was sponsored to the tune of P25 000 by Airfficiency company. ENDS