Botswana

Ofentse Molale Wins IBM Championships 1st Qualifiers!

This report was written by Patrick Wanda, President of Botswana Chess Federation.

Ofentse Molale, a student at the University of Botswana last weekend won the IBM National Chess Championships 1st qualifiers for the second year running with a score of 8 points of 9. This qualifies him for a match against the defending champion, Mr. John Hutcheson who had been exempted from these qualifiers. Ofentse overcame a strong field of 252 men to achieve this feat.

Second was Tebogo Pitlagano 8/9 and third Kenneth Boikhutswane 8/9. The competition was extremely competitive as players such as Ignatious Njobvu had to fight for a win in the last round to assure a place in the second round. The biggest casualty was one of last year's finalists Ivon Makabe who started poorly in the first two rounds. The top 29 players (right) plus the defending champion qualify for the next round where they will play in round robin with 6 groups each with five players each.

In the ladies section Boikhutso Mudongo emerged victorious when she scored 8.5/9 points. Tshepiso Lopang was second with 8.5 points and Betty Phuthego third with 7 points. The greatest casualty was last year's bronze medallist Gloria Nakedi and one of last year's finalists Mainon Moaneng who both scored 4.5 and 5 points respectively. The top 11 qualified for the directly for the finals where they will be joined by defending champion, Keitumetse Mokgacha. Please find the top 11: Please note that Barbara Dizdarevic is only 7 years old!!!!!!!


MEN'S QUALIFIERS

1. Ofentse Molale (Bonyonyo) 8.0
2. Tebogo Pitlagano (Bonyonyo) 8.0
3. Kenneth Boikhutswane (Poisonous Snakes) 8.0
4. Mosenya Ndawana (Poisonous Snakes) 7.5
5. Boipuso Samuel (Poisonous Snakes) 7.5
6. Phemelo Khetho (Garisson North Kings) 7.0
7. Ignatious Njobvu (Desert Knights) 7.0
7. Baone Kealeboga (Bonyonyo) 7.0
9. Rapula Regoeng (Kgari Sechele SSS) 7.0
10. Polite Salani (Bonyonyo) 7.0
11. Edwin Kabelo (Kings) 7.0
12. Thembani Major (BDVC) 6.5
13. Barileng Gaealafshwe (IHS Molepolole) 6.5
14. Kelebogile Selabe (Desert Knights) 6.5
15. Mopati Jobe (Desert Knights) 6.5
15. Walter Matekane (Desert Knights) 6.5
15. Leatile Nkoshwane (Eastern Pawns) 6.5
15. Itumeleng Borekilwe 6.5
19. David Samuel (BDF) 6.5
20. Odirile Sabure (Maun SSS) 6.5
21. Makalane Makalane (Jwaneng Technical) 6.5
21. Olebogeng Hosiah (BDVC) 6.5
21. Vincent Masole (Eastern Pawns) 6.5
21. Mose July (Naledi Senior) 6.5
25. Gofaone Tlhwaafalo (BDVC) 6.5
25. Stanely Sebowe (SSKB) 6.5
27. Dragon Kesiilwe (SSKB) 6.5
28. Boitumelo Leladi (Garisson North Kings) 6.5
28. Thabo Motshabi (BDVC) 6.5


LADIES' QUALIFIERS

1. Boikhutso Mudongo (Bonyonyo) 8.5
2. Tshepiso Lopang (Desert Knights) 7.5
3. Betty Phuthego (Untouchable Rooks) 7.0
4. Ontiretse Sabure (Maun Senior) 6.5
4. Namasiku Samunzala (Maun Senior) 6.5
6. Boitumelo Reetsang (SSKB) 6.5
7. Oabona Kenosi (Untouchable Rooks) 6.5
8. Goitsemodimo Makgacha (UB) 6.5
9. Barbara Dizdarevic (Broadhurst Primary) 6.5
10. Modireemang Marape 6.5
11. Ednah Moyo 6.0

TOURNAMENT DETAILS


Time Control: 30 minutes

System: Swiss

Sponsor: IBM (the total amount of the sponsorship is still being finalised with the sponsor. Mr. Wanda is optimistic that it will be higher than last years' US$3, 500)

Men: 252

Ladies: 80

Both Mudongo and Ofentse represented Botswana at the Africa Individual Championships. Also find attached a copy of the groups drawn for 2nd Qualifiers. Also that the weekend of the 16th February sees the Roscoe Bonna Blitz Championships. The above mentioned event was held on the 2nd and 3rd February 2002.

Posted by The Chess Drum: 13 February 2002