…as CFL selects national teams for world showpiece
Leemisa Thuseho
THE Chess Federation of Lesotho (CFL) has embarked on early preparations for the upcoming 46th Chess World Olympiad to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 15 to 28 September 2026.
Organised under the auspices of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the Chess Olympiad is the biggest biennial national team tournament on the global chess calendar.
As part of preparations for the prestigious event, the CFL hosted a national team selection tournament over the weekend for both the men’s and women’s teams.
The tournament, held at Lancers Inn in Maseru, ran from 28 February to 1 March. However, only the women’s selection games were concluded on Sunday, while the men’s competition will be completed on 8 March.
After five rounds played in a round-robin format, the top five women have already been identified to represent Lesotho at the Olympiad. The team will be headlined by award-winning star player Bonolo Ntsielo, alongside the experienced Lieketseng Ngatane.
Also making the team are the talented Boitumelo Sethabathaba, Teeke Naleli and Pontšo Makhebesela. The association has assembled a strong squad, as most of the players have previously participated in the Olympiad. Makhebesela will be the only debutant on the world stage.
Meanwhile, the men’s selection tournament is still ongoing. Six of the nine rounds have already been played, with several players battling for the five available national team slots.
With three rounds remaining, Lesotho’s top-ranked chess player, Tshephe Lebajoa, is leading the standings with five points. He is followed closely by Tokelo Klaas on 4.5 points in second position, with Karabo Mokete also on 4.5 points in third place.
Rounding off the provisional top five are George Mahommed in fourth position with four points and Mokhameleli Mohale in fifth place with three points.
CFL public relations officer, Lieketseng Makhalemele, who also doubles as vice secretary-general, said the final national squad will consist of five women and five men.
“We will have a total of 10 players going to the Olympiad — five women and five men,” Makhalemele told the Lesotho Times.
“The women’s selection is complete, while the men’s selection games will be finalised next weekend, and the top five finishers will secure places in the national team.”
Makhalemele added that once the selection process is concluded, the players will begin structured preparations under both local and international coaches ahead of the Olympiad.
“The coaches, both locally and internationally, who will work with the players will be announced in due course,” she said.
