“CHECKMATE” FIRST EDITION Issue 1 “CHECKMATE” FIRST EDITION 2013, Botswana Chess Review In this Issue; BY: KEENESE NEOYAME KATISENGE 1. Historic World Chess Federation’s Visit to Botswana 2. Field Performance 3. Administration & Developmental Programs BCF PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR 4. Social Responsibility, Marketing and Publicity / Sponsorships B “Checkmate” is the first edition of BCF e-Newsletter. It will be released on a quarterly basis with a review of chess events for the past period. In Chess circles, “Checkmate” announces the end of the game the same way this newsletter reviews performance at the end of a specified period. The aim of “Checkmate” is to maintain contact with all stakeholders, share information with interesting chess highlights as well as increase awareness in a BNSC Chair Solly Reikeletseng,Mr Mogotsi from Debswana, cost-effective manner. Mr Bobby Gaseitsewe from BNSC and BCF Exo during The 2013 Re-ba bona-ha Youth Championships 2013, Botswana Chess Review Under the leadership of the new president, Tshenolo Maruatona,, Botswana Chess continues to steadily Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture Hon. Shaw Kgathi and cement its place as one of the fastest growing the FIDE Delegation during their visit to Botswana in 2013 sporting codes in the country. BCF has held a number of activities aimed at developing and growing the sport in the country. “CHECKMATE” FIRST EDITION | Issue 1 2 2013 Review Cont.. The president of the federation, Mr Maruatona attended two key International Congresses, i.e Zonal Meeting held during The 2013 Commonwealth Championships that were held in South Africa in July and The 84th FIDE Congress held in Estonia, Tallin in 2013 Youth Championship Medalists October where, among others, the following issues were discussed; -Chess in Schools & Chess for the disabled -Rating and title commissions -Women In Chess &Social commission for chess On the bigger scheme of things, the African Metropolitan OpenSection National Champion FM Ignatious Njobvu Chess (ACU) meeting which was very relevant to us took up the following decisions; -A Review of statutes to align ACU to FIDE. The four African Zonal Presidents are now part of the BCF 2013 activities/ initiatives Botswana Open & Metropolitan Ladies National Champion WIM executive committee for Africa Chess Union. Boikhutso Modongo 1. HISTORIC WORLD CHESS FEDERATION VISIT TO BOTSWANA Botswana Chess Federation was honored to host a delegation from the World Chess Federation (FIDE) from the 20th July to 23rd July 2013 which was made up of FIDE Executive Director, Nigel Freeman, The Secretary of FIDE Development Commission, Rupert BNSC Chair Mr Solly Reikeletseng, NDB Head of Branding, Jones and BCF former president Tshepo Sitale, who is also The African Zone 4.3 Chess President. FIDE Delegate Nigel Freeman with BCF President on during MARKETING& Communications & BCF Exco during NDB FIDE visit to Botswana Championships Launch The Purpose of the visit by the delegation was to share the programs implemented by FIDE in Africa and how they could benefit Botswana. The delegation held progressive meetings with the Honourable Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Rre Shaw Kgathi, The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Botswana National Sports Council Secretariat and some of the BCF Sponsors Roscoe Bonna Champion CM Thabo Gumpo with Mr Bonna and BCF President CMs B. Gaealafshwe and M. Notha during Metropolitan Championships IM Providence Oatlhotse playing against CM Thato Olebile during the first edition of Botswana Blind Fold Challenge in Mogoditshane WCM Onkemetse Francis, Airfficiency Year Opener Ladies FM Ignatious Njobvu playing against Botswana’s youngstar Champion Goabaone Tangane during Zone 4.3 Championships “CHECKMATE” FIRST EDITION | Issue 1 3 2. FIELD PERFORMANCE LOCAL EVENTS, PERFOMANCE AND GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD The year 2013 was quite “chessy” or fruitful in that Kenneth Boikhutshwane playing against FM Ignatious Njobvu Botswana hosted more FIDE Rated local tournaments during 2013 Metropolitan Chess than any other. These tournaments offer players an opportunity to improve their international ratings as they attract strong chess players from other countries. Poisonous Snakes Chess Club were the champions of the 2013 NDB Chess Championships Botswana’s Only IM, Providence Oatlhotse SOME OF THE OPEN TOURNAMENTS HOSTED BY THE FEDERATION IN 2013 1. AFFICIENCY YEAR OPPENER- MOGODITSHANE 2. 2013 METROPOLITAN NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS, FINALS- GABORONE 3. GABORONE OPEN- GABORONE 4. MAUN OPEN- MAUN Jona Chaka playing against IM Providence Oatlhotse during 5. 2013 FIDE RATED RAPID- MOGODITSHANE NDB Clubs Tournament 6. BOTSWANA INTERNATIONAL OPEN 7. YEAR END OPEN IM Oatlhotse giving a speech during Airfficiency Year Opener where he won Gold Zone 4.3 Champion, Gillian Bwalya of Zambia Gaborone International Open Ladies Champion WFM Maun Open and Year End Championships Ladies Winner Kgalalelo Botlhole WGM Tuduetso Sabure “CHECKMATE” FIRST EDITION | Issue 1 4 assssssnhshshs ddddd YOUTH TOURNAMENTS BNSC Chair Solly Reikeletseng, Mr Mogotsi from Debswana, Mr Bobby Gaseitsewe from BNSC and BCF Exo during The 2013 Re-ba bona-ha Youth Championships With support received from, Morongwa Security and Botho University, among our other esteemed sponsors, BCF held a series of youth tournaments in 2013, in Kanye, Palapye, Mahalapye , Francistown and Gaborone . The tournaments consisted of two sections (boys and girls) and were open to all chess players from the ages of 6 to 21 from all the primary, junior and senior secondary schools. The tournaments were held in 2 stages of qualifiers and finals. These tournaments are very important as it is where the training needs of the young players are identified to guide their training programmes. Abhiram Sasitharen Won Bronze for Botswana at The 2013 The tournaments were as follows; Africa Youth Championships in South Africa Botswana National Schools Chess Championships Morongwa Junior Individual Morongwa Junior Teams Morongwa Senior Individual Botho Senior Teams Mater Spei 5Oth Anniversary The federation also facilitated the election of The Schools Committee chaired by Mr Moses Masocha from Shashe River School. The mandate of the sub committee is to assist in the day to day running of the schools chess program. WCM Lame Kolaatamo playing against Opelo Mojadibodu during Morongwa Schools Series fRa cujssttts gSSBSB BCF VP-Admin, Mr Roger Tiroyamodimo handing over a prize to Butale during The Youth Championships in Block 8 “CHECKMATE” FIRST EDITION | Issue 1 5 REGIONAL PERFORMANCE ZONE 4.3 CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS- TLOKWENG , BOTSWANA Botswana Chess Federation (BCF), through the assistance of Botswana National Sports Council and FIDE held Zone 4.3 Open and Women Individual Championships from 1st May to 8th May 2013 in Tlokweng (Oasis Motel), Botswana. The tournament was officially opened by BNSC Chairperson Mr Solly Reikeletseng Gillian Bwalya of Zambia, Zone 4.3 Open Section Winner and closed by FIDE Board Member and receiving his well-deserved deserved prize from Mr Buthali former BCF President Mr Dabilani Buthali. WFM Thapelo Francis was honored with the WFM Title by FIDE Bots Open Section Reps IM Providence Oatlhotse FM Ignatius Njobvu CM Thato Olebile Goabaone Tangane (under 21) CM Thabo Gumpo Bots Ladies Section Reps WGM Tuduetso Sabure Thato Olebile was honoured with a CM Title after an impressive WIM Boikhutso Modongo Kelvin Chumfwa of Zambia, Botswana Open Champion WIM Tshepiso Lopang performance. He also won silver for Botswana during Botswana WFM Thapelo Francis (under 21) Open and Gold in the Gaborone Open Tournament Results Botswana managed to scoop 2 medals through WIM Boikhumo Modongo (Silver) and WFM Thapelo Francis (Broze) on the ladies section as well as 2 titles that were approved by FIDE, CM Title for Thato Olebile and WFM Title for Thapelo Francis CONTINENTAL PERFORMANCE Africa Individual Chess Championships- Tunisia Botswana Chess Federation sent 2013 Metropolitan National Chess Champions to Africa Individual Chess Championships that were held in Hammamet, Tunisia from 17-28 May 2013. The 2013 Metropolitan National Champions were FM Ignatius Njobvu of the open section and WIM Boikhutso Modongo of the ladies section. They were joined by Tshepiso Lopang , another WIM from Botswana who also represent in the Ladies section and were accompanied by BCF Ratings and Technical Director Mr Vincent Masole. Modongo and Lopang finished in the top 10, with Modongo coming 7th and Lopang 9th. WIM Modongo, WIM Lopang and FM Njobvu represented Botswana at Africa Individual Champs WORLD LEVEL PERFORMANCE - Common wealth Chess Championships The country had also sent men and ladies teams to the 2013 Ccommonwealth Chess Championships that were held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa from 5-14 July 2013 . CM Barile Gaelafshwe, Puso Mabetu and CM Moakofi Notha finished with 7 points out of the 11 rounds played. “CHECKMATE” FIRST EDITION | Issue 1 6 .DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMMES Players 2013 Coaching Clinic The federation has held a Coaching Clinic for 40 young chess players selected during The Series of Morongwa Schools Chess Tournaments ( where their training needs were identified and attended to). The 5 days coaching clinic which had started on 7 July 2013 ended on 13 July 2013 at Shashe River School in Tonota. Young Chess Players during The 2013 BCF Youth Chess Championships GRASS ROOTS DEVELOPMENT BOPSSA And BCF Pilot Primary Schools Chess Tournament Botswana Primary Schools Sports Association (BOPSSA) in conjunction