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Botswana: NDB Chess Tourney to Be Hard Fought
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Kenneth Boikhutswane
The much-awaited National Development Bank (NDB) Teams Chess Championships take place at Mogoditshane's Yarona Country Lodge from tomorrow to Tuesday.
The tournament, Botswana's premier club event, has this year been sponsored to the tune of P40, 000 by NDB, the same amount as last year. This marks the third year of collaboration between the bank and Botswana Chess Federation (BCF), the first event having been sponsored to the tune of P15, 000.
According to BCF president Boitumelo Keinyatse, the format for this year's championship has not changed. "Just like in 2008 teams will have to register eight players in their line-up, including an Under-21 and a woman player. At any given time, a team will have to field six players for a game," said Keinyatse. The move to reinforce female players and juniors follows observations that teams tended to put winning ahead of developing these two marginalised groups.
He also said that the tournament will be played at the international standard time control of World Chess Federation in order that as many players as possible get to feel what proper chess entails.
The tournament has never failed to produce fireworks and this year promises to be no exception. Although it comes at a time when five players are doing duty for the country in Mozambique in a zonal tournament, there is enough depth within the individual clubs to guarantee good games.
Bonyonyo Chess Club, who are the defending champions, should once more start the event as hot favourites based on the general strength of their players on all boards. With Tebogo Pitlagano away in Maputo, it is likely that either Baone Kealeboga or Moakofi Notha will start on the tough board one.
However, the club will have difficulty fending off Kings Club, who in the past two years have shown tremendous improvement.
Working in their favour is the fact that they will be fielding a full strength team led by Jona Chaka and Edwin Kabelo.
Desert Knights will also challenge although the absence of Ignatius Njobvu and Barileng Gaealafhwe will definitely have a serious dent on their chances. The duo usually play the top two boards and, therefore, the club is stretched, as they will lack experience in the high board.
Poisonous Snakes club also looks set to make a big impact this year and could win their maiden title.
The club welcomes back internationals in International Master Kudzanai Mamombe and Dion Moyo, who are expected to make up for the missing FIDE Master Phemelo Khetho. Garrison Chess Club, winners in 2006, will have a hard time covering up the gap created by the absence of national champion Providence Oatlhotse. However, as in the past, Dumisani Mfanenyama has shown himself a capable top board replacement when the need arises.
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At the time of going to press, there was no information on the prize structure as Keinyatse and his committee were still to meet. Last year, the top three teams were awarded laptops in addition to prize money, as a way of empowering the clubs with equipment necessary for them to excel in the sport.
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