Leemisa Thuseho
THE Chess Federation of Lesotho (CFL) has received chess equipment from the International Chess Federation (FIDE) following Lesotho’s participation in this year’s Chess Olympiad, providing a boost to the development of the sport in the country.
Among the equipment received are electronic boards, chess clocks and standard chess sets, which CFL president, Mokone Moshe, says will help improve the standard of tournaments and enhance the performance of local players.
The biennial world team chess event was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 15 to 27 September.
Moshe told the Lesotho Times this week that the federation had received some of the equipment and said it would be of great benefit to chess development at both grassroots and competitive levels.
“As has happened in previous Olympiad Games, this year we have also received equipment from FIDE,” Moshe said.
“This is the equipment that was being used during the games.”
FIDE had announced ahead of the Olympiad that equipment used during the tournament would be distributed to national federations after the event.
The initiative allows federations around the world to retain equipment used at the world’s biggest chess festival while putting it to practical use in developing the sport in their respective countries.
FIDE said the equipment distributed to national federations would remain practical tournament equipment while also carrying the history of the games played on it.
Moshe said the equipment would help the CFL improve the quality and integrity of local competitions, particularly through the use of modern chess clocks and electronic boards.
“It is going to help us a lot. I can give an example of chess clocks, which are very expensive,” he said.
“Also, the electronic boards enhance our level of competition, as they minimise the chances of fraud in the game.”
Electronic boards use embedded sensors to detect and record moves in real time. Unlike conventional boards, where moves are recorded manually by players or arbiters, they provide an accurate digital record of games and make it easier to monitor play.
The technology can also help reduce errors in recording moves and scores while making games easier to follow and analyse.
The equipment is expected to give the CFL access to modern tournament technology and help bring local competitions closer to international standards.
It could also strengthen the federation’s efforts to develop players from grassroots level through to regional and international competition.
