Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) will host the 2026 Collins Chilisa Consultants Master Rapid Chess Championship on Valentine’s Day – February 14 at Yarona Country Lodge, Mogoditshane which is expected to bring together some of the country’s veteran players for competitive rapid-format tournament.
The championship will feature Open/Master category where women and men will compete in the same section. It is expected to bring together around 30 players, including veteran players like Mboki Chilisa, Walter Matekane, Chadza Bontsi, Dragon Kesiilwe in the mens’s section and Boikhutso Modongo and Keenese Katisenge-Tizhani in the ladies section.
The spokesperson, Goitsemodimo Makgatle has said the main objective of the championship is to bring together chess players aged 40 and above, including retired players in a relaxed yet competitive environment where they can reconnect with the game they love.
She stated that the tournament is designed as a recreational platform that allows experienced players to revive, sharpen, and celebrate their chess skills, while also fostering mentorship, and lifelong engagement with the sport.
“By creating this space, the championship seeks to resuscitate dormant talent and remind players that chess remains a game for all,” she said.
According to Makgatle, a total of P30, 000.00 has been allocated towards the sponsorship of the championship. She added that the sponsorship will go towards prize money, event logistics, player support, and overall event organisation to ensure a professionally run tournament.
The winner of the Open Section will walk away with P5, 500, trophy and gold medal, position two will pocket P3,500 and silver medal while position three wins P2,500 and bronze medal.
In the Masters Women Section, the champion will win P2, 500, trophy and gold medal, position two will walk away with P1,500 and silver medal while position three receives P1,000 and bronze medal.
Meanwhile, the Botswana Chess Federation has announced the 2026 national team selection final qualifiers. The top eight players from the men’s section and top eight players from women section have qualified for the national team final selection.
The men’s section is made up of Blessings Motshabi, Sebetlela Gaasite, CM Mpene Thuto, CM Thuso Mosutha, Bokamoso Simon, Mothudi Mogotsi Arnold, Oratile Kgotlane and Magowe Thabang.
The women section consists of WCM Mosweu Atlang Amolemo, WIM Onkemetse Mendu Francis, WCM Otimile Maya, WCM Moshoboro Laone Phoebe, Radikoro Boitumelo, Ndachipiwa Kgomotso, WFM Francis Thapelo and Motlhako Kaone.
