03 Mar 2020

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has for the first time rated the Northern Botswana Extravaganza Rock 2 Roll Chess Master tournament since its introduction in 2015. 

Speaking in an interview, the founder, Masaiti Charles, who is also the chief organiser of the ongoing games, said the measures and ratings of his club was a significant step as an organising team. The Rock 2 Roll chess team is a club without boundaries as it caters for all categories of players, be it schooling or out of school pupils and youth as well as matured men and women who are interested in playing chess.

He said they had realised that some of the players were quality players who had played in various international tournament which could benefit the new ones.

The tournament, which is on its sixth year, is anticipated to grow and it was meant to focus on the youth who were roaming the streets. It was also expected to strengthen and transform the country’s sport.

He said this year they managed to co-opt chess international players from as far as Zambia and Zimbabwe to strengthen their competition.

Charles said for the first time they were airing their games live through the Internet so that it could be viewed in various countries. He said parents were also encouraged to extend a helping hand, noting that it could change attitudes and strengthen the relationship with sponsors.

He said although the initiative was based in Palapye, it catered for everybody willing to participate from all over the country.

One of the participants, a teacher at Letlhakane Senior Secondary School, Thabo Gumpo, who was in the open section as a candidate master and won the section, said the tournament was well organised and that the time keeping was perfect.

Gumbo said the tournament was good as it aimed at improving young players. He also applauded a Standard Six pupil from Boswa Primary School in Gaborone, Darius Band, who also won in the open section.

The games were in categories of open section for both women and men and single sections.

Another speaker from Zambia, Kela Siame, an international chess player who resides in South Africa, said he was impressed by the youth who attended in large numbers and that the tournament had grown.

He said the participation of the young generation showed future growth in the sport, adding that chess could enhance thinking capacity and planning as it gave participants a chance to take decisions on their own.

Siame urged them to balance sport with their education, saying  school should come first.

The tournament was sponsored by CCC Company, Morupule Coal Mine and Bank Gaborone as the major sponsor.

Speaking on behalf of the bank, stakeholder engagement and communications manager, Tshepo Maruatona said the main purpose was to develop young people from grassroots level in various sport categories.

He said recently they were with Matsha JSS pupils to motivate them, adding that they were spreading their wings to reach out to the youth.

He said at some stage they focused on the under-privileged youth to resource and develop them.

Maruatona said they also extended their services to teach young ones how to save and open accounts through their parents so that they could be able to learn on usage of finances. He said they managed to introduce a user-friendly account called WIZ for kids. They have also spread their wings to cater for the physical and mental aspects of lives.

Results were not announced as most of the categories tied up, calling for a replay of the games which will be re-scheduled soon. ENDs