Ladies' chess team doing well in Zambia

Women International Master (WIM) BoikhutsoMudongo, Onkemetse Francis, Tshepiso Lopang and Ndachipiwa Kgomotso are currently dominating the ladies’ section at the on-going Zone 4.3 Chess tournament in Livingstone, Zambia. According to Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) Public Relations Officer Kutlwano Tatolo, the four ladies representing the country at the championships are performing exceptionally well.

Mudongo is leading the pack with two points together with Francis and Lopang. Kgomotso has managed to secure only one point so far. On the other hand, national open section champion Fide Master (FM) Barileng Gaealafshwe and his partner Puso Mabetu have managed to accumulate 1.5 points each in all their three games and still have about 7 more rounds to go.

The tournament has attracted participants from all over Southern Africa with countries such as Zambia, South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe. It began on 9th of June and will end on the 18th 2017.

The team is being managed by the newly-elected tournament and Ratings Director Lesego Selemogwe and under the close watch of Ivon Makabe as team coach.

Tatolo said the aim is to get players such as Mabetu and Kgomotso to acquire titles and also ensure that the country’s top players are given an opportunity to compete with other highly ranked players from other countries and consequently improve their performances. She explained that based on the current performance of the players, BCF is certain that team Botswana will bring home a few medals from the highly-competitive tournament.