Leemisa Thuseho
LESOTHO’S 14-year-old Bokang Motsamai was on Sunday crowned the 2019 annual Blue Mountain Inn (BMI) Chess Open champion at BMI in Teya-Teyaneng, Berea last weekend.
The tournament started on Friday and ended on Sunday.
Motsamai was crowned the champion after being tied on 5.5 points with Tatenda Pondo of Zimbabwe and Mzingisi Maruluba from South Africa in the Open Section. The tie breaker system bunchholz favoured Motsamai and put Pondo and Maruluba in second and third respectively.
The trio took home gold, silver and bronze medals respectively and each pocketed M1 500.
Lesotho’s Lebakae Mojakisane was named best junior player in that category and pocketed M5 00.
Providence Oatlhotse of Botswana won the championship’s Prestige Section and took home the tournament’s highest prize of M5 000, a gold medal and a trophy after collecting 5.5 points from six rounds.
South Africans Michal Oosthiuzen and Ntando Zwakala came second and third respectively.
Zambian Lorita Mwango won the Ladies Section with five points after the tie breaker put her on top of Botswana’s Naledi Marape who also had five points. They each pocketed M1 700.
Leboela ‘Maboloko (Lesotho) settled for third position with four points along with last year’s winner ‘Malehloa Likhomo who came fourth after the tie breaker system was used.
Likhomo told the Lesotho Times that this year’s tournament was more competitive and tougher.
“It was a tough because the field was strong in all sections,” Likhomo said.
Likhomo said although Lesotho has talent, the visiting players were far more competitive and also better ranked.
“I am sure that in the coming years Lesotho will have a strong team. Our young players are doing well.
“We have Mojakisane who got the best junior in the open section. In the ladies’ side we have Ntsielo Bonolo, even though she finished eighth, she is doing well and she is likely to make it to the Russia Chess Olympiad this year,” Likhomo said.
In the development section, Majara Moseho came first followed by Thato Moorosi and Katleho Moorosi in second and third respectively.
Chess Federation of Lesotho (CFL) public relations officer Khiba Selatela said the event was a success despite the poor attendance.
“Last year we had about 125 players but this year the number decreased to 89 but we hope for better numbers next year,” Selatela said.
