Meanwhile, The 2019 Botswana International Open Chess Championship will come to an end on the 1st of October with only one round (9th) to be played. In the lead currently in the prestige section is Botswana’s IM Providence Oatlhotse (6.5pts), playing against Joseph ‘The Fear’ Mwale (6pts) from Malawi. Zimbabwean Spencer Masango (6.5pts) face off with Zambian Gillan Bwalya (5.5pts) on board 2. Following closely are; FMs Douglas Munenga (ZAM) and Phemelo Khetho (BOT) all on 6pts. There is a lot of effort going into keeping this championship within Botswana, IM Providence has to make sure in the last round the title stays home with a positive performance in the important last round game. Spencer Masango also has a great chance of taking the title to neighbouring Zimbabwe. In the Ladies Section Ruth Otisitswe is the sole leader with 7/8, and WIM Kgalalelo Botlhole has 6.5pts and they meet in the do or die encounter. Zimbabwe’s Nomalungelo Mathe is on 6pts with 3 other players; WCM Refilwe, Boitumelo Radikoro, WCM Tamuhla. Happy Independence Day Botswana……. HERE IS AN EARLIER REPORT FROM THE PREVIOUS ROUND……..2019 Debswana Developmental Botswana International Chess Championships Going into round 8, the tables have turned now, IM ‘Mobilechess’ Providence is leading the overnight leader Zimbabwean Spencer Masango , together with FM Douglas Munenga with a half point, the trio of FM Phemelo Khetho, Malawian FM Joseph Mwale & Arnold Mothudi are still in with a shout, all with 5 points. To add a cat among the pigeons, Zim champ Zhemba4.5 Jemusse & IM Gillan Bwayla are on standby with points. The Ladies section has a surprise package in the form of Ruth Otisitswe, so far she has proved to be more than determined, 6 points in the bag & leading her big sisters WGM Tuduetso Sabure & WIM Kgalalelo Botlhole with a half point. It’s really tough in this section as there are about 9 players sitting on 5 points, all ready to pounce on & make the podium. The Open Section is no kindergarten as lightning & thunder is the order of each round. Table 1: Moagaesi Tshepo 6 pts vs 6 pts Silent Tjituka Table 2: Seikaneng Onkagetse 6 pts vs 6 pts Thokojane Bagomotsi Table 3: Maswabi Opelo 5.5 pts vs 6 Oosthuizen Michal Jacobs Table 4: Kefentse Lentsenye 5.5 pts vs 5.5 pts Musekiwa Michael Table 5: Chunga Abel 5 pts vs 5.5 pts Motshabi Boikobo Ten more players with 5 pts each are also in the reckoning, pretenders to the title.
