GABORONE - South Africa's Chess Academy has invited four Botswana chess players for practice matches so they can hone their skills in preparation for the 36th Chess Olympiad to be held in Calvia, Spain,on 0ctober 14-31.
The current women's national champion Tuduetso Sabure, FIDE master Boikhutso Mudongo and Ignatius Njobvu as well as men's national champion Providence Oatlhotse will meet some of South Africa's highly rated chess players from today to October 10.
Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) secretary general Thabani Balang told BOPA in an interview that the practice matches will give the local chessmasters an opportunity to test their strength against the South Africans.
"We expect the players to impart their knowledge to their team mates," said Balang. At the just-ended Botswana International Open Chess Championships held during independence celebrations in Gaborone, national team players did exceptionally well, with Njobvu obtaining second position after South Africa's Van Der Nat.
Other players that will carry Botswana's hopes at the prestigious meeting for the world's powerful brains include Boitumelo Reetsang and Tshepiso Lopang from the ladies' team and Phemelo Kgetho, Ofentse Molale, Olebogeng Hosiah as well as Tebogo Pitlagano.
BCF vice president Frank Tautsage will captain the men's side, while Baone Kealeboga will lead the women's team.BCF president Dabilali Buthali will lead the delegation to Spain. BOPA
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