Mikia Kalati
THE Lesotho Chess Federation (LCF) says its team is ready to represent the country at the upcoming Chess Olympiad scheduled for Georgia starting on Sunday.
The local team last weekend took part in the two-day Open Chess Championship in Maputo, in Mozambique to fine tune preparations for the Georgia tour.
The team is set to leave the country tomorrow for the 43rd edition of the Chess Olympiad, which now includes the open and women’s tournament and will be held in Batumi from 23 September to 6 October 2018.
Lesotho team will comprise 10 players, being five male and five females.
“Some of our players did well in Mozambique at the weekend and most of them are part of the team going that will travel to Georgia for the Olympiad,” said Khiba Selatela, the LCF public relations officer.
“We are happy with how they played as it gives us hope going before we depart for Georgia.”
Selatela said the team left Mozambique before the end of the tournament as some of their players did not play all games but still performed well.
“We played up to round six as we had to leave before the Mozambique border gate closed so that we could return home on time.
“Despite our difficult trip to Mozambique, one of our female players came first. The whole idea of the Mozambique was to afford our players a chance to test their abilities before heading to Georgia.
“Our players were making several mistakes before the Mozambique tour but they have improved on those. We also analysed and learnt from the Mozambique experience,” he said.
Malillo Phera (13) from Khubetsoana won in the ladies’ category beating competitors from South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland.
Liteboho Mohatlane, Theko Khanyapa and the minister of Home Affairs, Joang Molapo, all finished in the to 10 in the male category in Maputo.
Squad:
Male team: Khanyapa Theko, Klass Tokelo, Khalema Sechaba, Mohatlane Liteboho, Lekau Ramokotjo.
Ladies team: Maboloko Leboela, Lieketseng Ngatane, Naleli Mcpherson, Phera Malillo, Likhomo Malehloa.
