30 Oct 2013

Former senior schools chess champion, Thabo Gumpo beat a field of 40 to be crowned champion of this year’s Roscoe Bonna Chess Blitz.

The 23-year-old Candidate Master was in a mean mood at the open championships held at the Yarona Hotel in Mogoditshane and inched past his fiercest rivals Barileng Gaealafshwe, Moakofhi Notha and Providence Oatlhotse.

Gumpo accumulated nine points, the same number of points with Gaealafshwe and Notha but went ahead after three tie breaks which finally saw him emerge victorious. Phemelo Khetho who was one of this year’s hopeful did not show up as he is reportedly not active in the sport so far.

In the women’s category Kgalalelo Botlhole beat other two favorites Tuduetso Sabure and Tshepiso Lopang after nine rounds. Women International Master Boikhutso Mudongo came fifth tied to Onkemtse Francis on the fourth spot.

In an interview on the sidelines of the closely contested championships Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) publicity secretary, Keenese Katisenge said they were impressed by the turn out to this year’s tournament despite having hiccups which saw last year’s tournament not staged.

“A game of chess cannot be lost on the board and also on time. Speed chess teaches players to think fast and to learn to manage their time well during the game. There are many instances where Botswana players lost their games on time at international levels. This is one tournament that helps close that gap” she noted.

The championships are on their 12th year after having been sponsored by the property valuers since 2000. The main sponsor of the event Roscoe Bonna was equally delighted and said the main purpose of the tournament was to unearth raw talent and make aspiring chess fanatics prepare for the more competitive tournaments.

As part of the event Roscoe Bonna donated chess equipment to Tsogang Primary School in Broadhurst and the Federation will take up chess lessons with the school. Over the past five months the federation with the help of various sponsors have donated chess equipment to five primary schools and have hosted the first Primary school chess tournament. ENDS