Double treat for chess enthusiasts
It is a double-header weekend for chess players and fans as Gaborone International Open and African Youth Chess Championships finals both get underway at Oasis Motel in Tlokweng.
By CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Fri 24 Jun 2016, 14:59 pm (GMT +2)
The Gaborone Open is sponsored by Kalahari Associates for P26, 000. The winner of the open section will bag P4, 000, while second placed player receives P3, 000 and the player who finishes third gets P2, 000. The women’s champion takes home P3, 000, with P2, 000 for second position while number three gets P1, 000.
Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) public relations director, Keenese Katisenge said they are looking forward to yet another exciting series in the Gaborone Open. She said they had a successful championship last year, breaking new ground as far as competitive chess is concerned.
“The Gaborone Open Chess Championship is a historic event that brings together all the chess players in Botswana and neighbouring countries. It is one of the most anticipated events in the Botswana chess calendar.
The championships brings together all the players across the chess divide,” said Katisenge.
She told Mmegi Sport this
week that the event has seen a steady increase in the number of participants from both local and foreign players. Katisenge said they expect 150 players to battle it out for the grand prize.
She said the championship series has earned its position as one of the country’s best-attended events.
“The event is now a brand and has prompted registration of other chess playing countries like Malawi over the years. The event brings in an array of players with different chess understanding and strength,” she said.
Some of the players who have registered for the competition are from Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Meanwhile, youngsters will battle it out in the African Youth qualifiers at the same time. The event will be used to select the final team which will represent Botswana at the 2016 African Youth Chess Championships to be held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa in August.
Source: http://www.mmegi.bw