Olympiad team �chess� success in Baku
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday September 2, 2016 14:39
Women
Boikhutso Modongo
 Woman International Master (WIM) Boikhutso Modongo is one of Botswana’s senior players who has been performing consistently well since her earlier playing days. She has represented the country at the Olympiads as far back as 1998.
Modongo, who was Botswana’s only Woman International Master before she was joined by Tshepiso Lopang, Onkemetse Francis and Kgalaleo Botlhole, has earned herself a lot of crowns including being Botswana’s National
Women Chess Champion, African Women first runner up as well as Zone 4.3 Women Champion. Modongo won the 2015 African Zone 4.3 women’s section in Malawi with an amazing 8.5 out of 9 score, winning the first gold medal ever for Botswana in a regional event.
She went on to scoop a silver medal for Botswana at the 2015 African Women Chess Championships that were hosted in August in Johannesburg, South Africa.
WIM Modongo’s performance has earned her a lot of prizes, awards and nominations including the Botswana National Sport Commission awards. She has now combined playing with coaching and mentoring younger players.
Previous appearances: 18
WIM Onkemetse Francis
Francis was awarded the WCM title by the World Chess Federation in 2012. She came second in the women’s section of the 2014 Zone 4.3 Chess Championships that were held in Namibia with a score of 6/9 points winning silver for Botswana. The World Chess Federation upgraded her to the Woman International Master title in 2014. She is the current Metropolitan National Champion, the 2015 BOTASH Open champion as well as the 2016 Maun International Open Champion. She is a student at the University of Botswana’s School of Medicine.
Previous appearances: 2
WM Thapelo Francis
Thapelo is Onkemetse’s sibling and is known as a calm player on the board. She has represented Botswana in youth structures and at a senior team level. Thapelo has recoded impressive performances in international competitions. She plays for Black Bishops Chess Club and has won medals for her club. She has also tasted the Botswana women’s big title when she won the Metropolitan title in 2009.
Previous appearances: 1
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Mbo Mabedi
Mabedi is based in Francistown and works for the Ministry of Education, Skills and Development as a teacher. She is a patient player who has been trying her luck year in year out to make it to the national team until she deservedly made it this year. She will be playing at the Olympiad for the first time. She is a hardworking and disciplined player.
Previous appearances: Debut
Palesa Mooketsi
Mooketsi is a strong player from Ice Queens Chess Club. She made history by playing for both the youth and senior national teams in one year. Mooketsi represented Botswana at the just ended African Youth Chess Championships that were held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa where she received a brilliance award from the organisers for her outstanding performance against rated players.
Previous appearances: Debut
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Men
CM Moakofhi Notha
Notha is one of the fearless players who on his day can wreck havoc on the board. He earned the country a silver medal at the All Africa Games in 2011 and the Olympiad will give the Bonyonyo Chess Club player an opportunity to prove he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Previous appearances: 3
Mosenya Ndawana
The oldest player, at 42, continues to prove that with age comes wisdom. Ndawana is sharp and has flawless demonstration of chess literature. He is widely studied and always gets an urge over his opponents in the first few moves. The Poisonous Snakes Chess Club member has represented the country at the highest level in the past Olympiad.
Previous appearances: 1
Thuso Mosutha
Mosutha is the 2015 African Amateur Chess Champion, after winning the title in Maputo, Mozambique last year. He is a feared opponent who did well during the 2016 Metropolitan National Chess Championships in March. He was among the top 10 players in the finals of the 2016 senior national team qualifiers and eventually made the national team cut. Mosutha is one of the most deadly blitz players in the country.
Previous appearances: Debut
Otsile Mapini
Mapini is the youngest player in the men’s team at 21. He is a bright student at the Botswana University of Science and Technology. He also plays for the institution’s chess club. He caused upsets during the Olympiad qualifiers and made it into the team for his debut appearance. He is a focused and very disciplined player.
Previous appearances: Debut
Keletshabile Monnatsheko
The Maun based player proved his mettle during the qualifiers, making it ahead of experienced players.Â
Previous appearances: Debut