28 Jan 2014

Champions of 2013 International Master (IM), Providence Oatlhotse and Women Fide Master (WCM), Onkemetse Francis had a tough chess tournament over the weekend.

They were unable to defend their titles in the fifth opener tournament held at Mogoditshane Senior Secondary School. 

The tournament, supported by Airfficiency with P15 000, opened the Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) chess tournaments calendar on a high note with representation from three National Federations; Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was played in a two open and ladies sections format with a total of seven rounds in both sections.

Women Fide Master (WFM) Kgalalelo Botlhole from Botswana and Musatwe Simutowe of Zambia were crowned as champions of the Year Opener Chess Tournament both with 6.5/7 points.

Musatwe finished on a joint first with Fide Master (FM) Phemelo Khetho (Botswana) in the open section both with 6.5/7 points, followed by Candidate Master (CM) Thato Olebile with six. 

Ladies section position two and three went to Nchidzi Motshusi and WCM Onkemetse Francis with 6/7 points. Francis came third in the ladies section while Oatlhotse was unable to appear in the open section medalists. 

The tournament had a total attendance of 191 chess players from around the country. Open section Champion walked away with a P2000 cash prize, whilst the ladies section champion won herself P1000.  ENDS