2011 Botswana Closed

The Botswana Closed Tournament will be held at University of Botswana starting Friday, 2nd December 2011 to Sunday, 4th December 2011. The drawing of lots will be on Wednesday, 30th at sedibeng @ 19:00. The Botswana Chess Calendar comes to an end with resounding bang as the best chess brains in the country lock horns this coming weekend.

The tournament dubbed ‘Botswana Closed’ pits together the top ten rated players in the country.’Botswana Chess doesn’t get better than this’ says tournament organiser Kelapile Kelatlhilwe.

CM Providence Oathotse, CM Ignatius Njobvu and Ofentse Molale have all won the coveted title of Botswana National champion three times each in their chess career.The trio will add the spark to the tournament as they prove their mettle against very tough opposition. Providence Oatlhotse is arguably the best achieved player for 2011 despite missing the national championship title with a whisker to Dzilani Abel.

CM Barileng Gaealafshwe, also the 2010 national champion is also expected to pronounce his presence to finish the year on a good note. He has developed a nagging reputation of always upsetting the tournament’s favourites with his meticulous endgame brilliance.

Baone Kealeboga has been roped in on the last minute replacing FM Phemelo Khetho. In the history of Botswana chess, Baone is undoubtedly the most aggressive attacker whose pursuit for checkmate comes with the first move. His aggression will however be met by calmness and accurate play of former national team player Tebogo Pitlagano. Tebogo recently put up an impressive performance at the Botswana Open tournament.

CM Moakofhi Notha will be itching to settle old scores with his opponents.The silver medalist at the All-Africa games has had a convincing run for the year and this tournament is a good opportunity for him to add the glaze to his shine. The trio of Thato Olebile, Goabaone Tangane and Gomolemo Rongwane are intent on turning the tables of their older counterparts. Goabaone recently acquires a new rating of 2075. The tournament will be administered by the renowned tournament director Vincent Masole under the guidance of Kelapile Kelatlhilwe.

~ Tshenolo Maruatona