Botswana’s chess future looks brighter than ever, thanks to the extraordinary performances of brothers Vanya Kael and Amour Karl Kaboyaone at the South Africa Open 2025, held in Johannesburg from June 28 to July 5.
The youngest of the two, Vanya Kael Kaboyaone, competing in the Under-8 Open category, delivered a flawless performance, winning all 5 out of 5 games to claim first place. His showing was nothing short of dominant, as he demonstrated the poise and sharp tactical instinct of a seasoned player far beyond his years.
“Vanya played exceptionally well,” said their coach, FIDE Instructor Pudungwane Lesole, who accompanied the pair to the tournament. “He was able to convincingly outplay all his opponents. His ability to detect weaknesses and exploit them at just the right time is what sets him apart.”
Vanya’s recent bronze finish at the 2025 African Individual School Championships secured him the Candidate Master (CM) title from FIDE, making his victory in Johannesburg another step in a rapidly ascending career.
His older brother, Amour Karl Kaboyaone, made a bold move by opting to compete in the Under-12 category instead of Under-10, seeking tougher competition and a deeper learning curve. The gamble paid off: Amour held his ground impressively, finishing with 3.5 points, winning three games, drawing one, and losing only in the final round—securing a respectable 11th place finish.
“Amour’s quality of play against older and more experienced opponents was impressive,” said Coach Lesole. “He was calm and accurate at critical moments. This experience will be vital as we continue to work on his attacking play and sharpen his tactical sense.”
What’s most striking is that both boys only began playing competitive chess late last year—yet already, they are making waves in both local and international circuits. Their rise speaks not only to their natural talent, but also to the potential Botswana holds in the world of chess.
“These boys are just the beginning,” Lesole noted. “We have so much talent in Botswana. What we need now is exposure—more international tournaments, more performance boot camps.”
The journey is far from over. Vanya and Amour are now preparing to represent Botswana at the 2025 FIDE World Cadets Chess Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, scheduled from September 18 to October 1.
“Trust me, they won’t come back the same,” Lesole emphasized. “But we need help. Financial support is crucial to get them there and give them the opportunity to shine on the global stage.”
