Chess protégé Masaiti is Women Candidate Master

Local home trained chess protégé Besa Masaiti has been elevated to the status of Women Candidate Master (WCM).  

The 14-year Motswedi Secondary school student was awarded the prestigious title after garnering a bronze medal at the recent African Youth Championships held in Zambia. In an interview this week, Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) spokesperson Neoyame Katisenge said the rising star managed to get position six out of nine at the international tournament in December.

Katisenge explained that Masaiti will now be joining a handful other WCMs including Ontiretse Sabure, Naledi Marape, Naledi Kolatamo and Rosah Nthite. “This is a huge achievement for her as Botswana often went on a five to 10 year dry spell before we could get another WCM. This achievement is not common in Botswana as it often is in chess powerhouses like Egypt and Algeria.”

Katisenge said the WCM status was an entry to other international chess titles. According to Katisenge, the announcement was made recently after the International Chess Federation analysed the Youth championship at which Masaiti competed in Lusaka, Zambia.

In an interview this week, Masaiti’s father and coach, Charles Masaiti said he motivates his daughter through the historical success of sports figures like tennis ace Serena Williams, athletics stars like Amantle Montsho and Nijel Amos on the local front. In addition Masaiti said his pupil is naturally a shy person adding that playing chess often translates to success in other areas of life.

“I would appreciate it if you could also try to link chess games to school performance because I for one have linked it to my children’s performance and they are both striving towards academic success,” Masaiti said. Meanwhile, the proud father and coach said the popular board game was good for stretching a player’s mind, teaches them to be focussed, and learn strategies and planning skills.  

“Chess students learn about the importance of team work, recovering from failure above all, they develop the obsession to win, which is an important attribute in wanting to be a champion at all costs.”

Some of Masaiti’s recent achievements include winning the Debswana Re ba bona ha under 14 girls tournament, the BCF-International tournament pitting Botswana against Zimbabwe, Airfficiency tournament, Botswana chess open and the African Youth-inter schools tournament.