The Botswana Chess Federation welcomed back a 10-member team this week after participating at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary. Although the team brought no medals, the players gained valuable experience on the international stage.
The team finished 11th in Group D (Open Category), improving from their previous ranking of 119th to118th, while the women’s team dropped from 95th to 105th.
Goitse Mokgatle, the Botswana Chess Federation Public Relations Officer (PRO), reflected on the team’s performance, “we did decently, especially considering our strong start in the Open category. Though we lost momentum, the experience gained is invaluable.”
The olympiad, held from September 10-23, featured a record-breaking 193 teams in the Open section and 181 teams in the Women’s section. Botswana fielded a talented squad, with five male players in the Open category: International Master (IM) Providence Oatlhotse, Monnaatsheko Keletshabile, Candidate Master (CM) Moakofi Notha, Kuda Bayani, and Oratile Kgotlane, led by their captain Thompson Modisane. The women’s team included Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Naledi Marape, Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Natalie Banda, WCM Amolemo Mosweu, WCM Refilwe Gabatshware, Boitshepo Rebatenne, and team captain Masego Motlotle.
Despite facing stiff competition, the team showed resilience and strategic insight. The men’s team started strong, peaking at first place in their category, but their performance became inconsistent, ultimately halting their progress.
One of the tournament’s highlights was Monnaatsheko Keletshabile’s match against Jaloliddin Ilkhomi in Round 11. Keletshabile, playing with the black pieces, lost, leading to Botswana’s dip in rankings. Another noteworthy achievement came from Moakofi Notha, who was awarded the title of Candidate Master for his impressive play.
The women’s team, though finishing 105th, reached the 9th round, showing capability to hold their ground in an intense field.
Captain Thompson Modisane remains optimistic. “The team did well, and I am satisfied with the results. There is a lot of potential, and we will work on strengthening our weaknesses. This tournament has offered invaluable experience.”
The 45th Chess Olympiad, organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is one of the world’s most prestigious chess events, held biennially. The 2024 edition took place in Budapest, Hungary, from September 10 to 23. The Olympiad saw a record number of participating teams, with 193 nations in the Open section and 181 teams in the Women’s section.
The Chess Olympiad brings together the world’s best players and rising stars, fostering international competition and camaraderie. Each team consists of five players, with matches played over 11 rounds using the Swiss system, where teams with similar scores are paired against each other in each round.
The Olympiad is not only a platform for competition but also a major international event that includes the FIDE Congress, where key decisions regarding the future of global chess governance are made. This year’s event coincided with FIDE’s 100th anniversary, marked by special celebrations and exhibitions showcasing chess’s cultural significance.
India made history at this Olympiad by winning double gold for the first time, clinching gold medals in both the Open and Women’s competitions, a monumental achievement for their chess teams.
Though Botswana did not return with medals, the players gained invaluable international experience, laying the groundwork for future success. Mokgatle also noted the challenges the Botswana team faced, particularly the lack of a coach during matches.
“Our preparation began three weeks before the games with an online camp hosted by FIDE, with Grandmaster Ankit Rajpara of India as the coach. However, without a coach during matches, our players struggled with consistency,” she explained. Mokgatle emphasised the need for more investment in chess, particularly in securing funding to further develop Botswana’s promising talent.
The Botswana Chess Federation, established in 1982, has steadily grown the sport in the country, nurturing talent through school programs and public chess clinics. With continued support and investment, the Federation aims to bring Botswana further into the international chess spotlight.
Looking ahead, Mokgatle revealed plans for the next tournament in Brazil, where younger players will represent Botswana, with hopes that they will become the chess stars of tomorrow. As the Federation continues to build on its successes, the future of Botswana chess looks promising.
