Botswana, Zambia dominate Chess championship

Woman Grandmaster Tuduetso Sabure from Botswana and International Master Gilian Bwayla of Zambia are winners of the 2016 Botswana International Open Chess Championships held over the independence holidays in Gaborone.

Sabure won the ladies section with eight points while Bwayla won the prestige section with seven points.  Bwayla won with the same points as Simotowe Musatwe of Zambia and Phemelo Kheto of Botswana, the game headed for tie-breaks that landed Kheto in third position.

Team Botswana fought their way elegantly in the competition and dominated most top ten positions in both sections. Position two in the ladies section also went to Zambia while the defending champion from last year ‘s competition, Woman International Master Boikhutso Modongo finished in position five.

The other players who thrilled during the competition include Tefo Philime who won the youth section, Candidate Master Besa Masaiti was crowned the overall best girl performer while Arnold Mothudi won the open section.

The event was sponsored by Debswana Diamond Company at the tune of P150 000 and attracted a total of 167 players from Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Speaking in a brief interview this week, BCF Public Relations Officer Keenese Katisenge said the competition went very well saying that even the visitors enjoyed their stay and were impressed with the level of organisation.

Katisenge said she was even more impressed by the players’ performance. “They fought very hard and represented the country well as hosts.”Speaking previously at the sponsorship launch, President of Botswana Chess Federation (BCF), Tshenolo Maruatona said they have been holding hands with Debswana for over five years and each year the value of their sponsorship keeps growing.

He said that the initial sponsorship stood at P40 000 and currently Debswana has doubled the prize. “I believe this International open championships event has grown tremendously over the years and it has even attracted major attention like any other prestigious local events,” he explained.