03 Jul 2022

Raymond Maretlwaneng (15) from Gold Mine Junior Secondary School has won the Ghetto Rapid Always chess tournament held in Francistown on Saturday.

In an interview after the one-day tournament, Maretlwaneng said his intention was to win more tournaments to increase his Fide rating.

“I played international games in eSwatini and Namibia when I was still young, but my performance was not satisfying as I had not yet mastered the game. I have improved with time and my learning continues,” he said.

He noted that playing chess was important as it broadened his scope and improved his ability to solve problems.

Maretlwaneng encouraged youth to have good time management so as to be able to balance sports with education noting that the two complemented each other.

In the Under 14 category, Clyde Molosiwa won a gold medal, Mmilili Munyere scooped silver and Baruch Moilwa settled for bronze. Director of Francistown School of Chess, Thapelo Molefe, said the tournament dubbed Ghetto Rapid Always was the first this year. He said although the tournament did not have sponsors, it survived through funds from registration, hence the low prize money.

He said even though the tournament was open to all, the 23 participants who registered were from greater Francistown.

He said participation was still low at the moment as a result of lack of sponsorship noting that should they acquire the much promising sponsor they were anticipating, more participants and trophies would follow. Ends