11 Jul 2013

Chess candidate master (CM) Barileng Gaealafshwe is making headlines at the on-going Commonwealth Games held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

After an impressive performance in the first four rounds, which include victory over one of the strongest chess players in South African Kennedy Solomon, Gaealafshwe clambered to the top of the boards on July 10.

Solomon, a respected chess International Master has 2414 FIDE rating points while Gaealafshwe has 2171 points. The Commonwealth Chess Championship is held annually.

This year’s competition is the 19th edition of the event which is open players from all Commonwealth members. The tournament is played over a total of 11 rounds and comes to an end on July 14.  This year’s edition has attracted more than 600 players around the world.

Gaealafshwe was yesterday evening set to lock horns with Indian grand master Musunuri Rohit-Lulith in round eight in what promised to be one of the toughest encounters for the local chess maestro.

Botswana men have overall started well in the Open/Prestige Section but it looks like things are beginning to get tougher as more begin to lose games. International Master (IM) Providence Oatlhotse failed to impress in round seven when he lost to Houska Jovanka, another IM from England. Oatlhotse so far has 4.5 points from seven rounds. However, Moakofi Notha had sweet revenge by beating Naidoo Sayen of South Africa.

In the ladies category (Prestige Section), Woman Candidate Master (WCM), Ontiretse Sabure lost to South Africa’s September Verde, and drew against another South African player Muller Wayne.

Women Fide Master (WFM) Thapelo Francis and Grand Master (GM) drew against their South African rivals Du-Plessis Roedolf and Anastasso Poulos-Dimitri. The overall winner will receive R40 000 in cash plus a seven night holiday vacation at a private game reserve situated in the Eastern Cape.

Second, third, fourth, fifth winners will walk away with R33 000, R24 000, R17 000, R13 000 respectively. The tournament will also see individual and team titles be awarded in various age group categories (U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18 as well as open categories).  ENDS