Mixed Reactions over Chess League resumption
Following months of speculation on whether the national chess league will resume, Botswana Chess Federation ( BCF) has finally taken a bold decision to restart the league and finish it in two weeks- time. The league was put on hold in March early this year following the outbreak of Coronavirus and subsequent stoppage of sporting activities. With the league set to be played in two weekends some clubs have expressed mixed views on the return of the league.
The Chess League will be played in two weekends with round 4 up to 9 scheduled for the 14th - 15th November in Gaborone while round 10 to 17 will be played on the 28th- 29th November at the University of Botswana.
According to Charles Masaiti of Rock & Roll Masters Chess Club, playing the league in two weeks is going to disadvantage them.
“The decision to confine the games to a shorter period is unfair because there are about 3 clubs that are located outside Gaborone. Orapa, Francistown School of Chess and our Team that would incur transportation and lodging costs amid the pandemic. Playing many games in a short period of time can strain players and compromise quality but we have no option since playing it over a longer period of time also comes with a lot of costs; but we need adequate notice to help us mobilise, train and to cater for many players who are now in examinations and classes,” he opined.
For his part, Joseph Habulezi of Poisonous Snakes said they don’t mind playing the league in a short time. “We
welcome the decision given that we have lost so much time this year. As chess players, we are used to playing intense games so we have adapted to this kind of demanding situations so the strain is going to be there but it’s not new to chess players ,” he said.
For Layton Mothupi of Delta Pawns, the timing and decision to squeeze the league are equally poor decisions.” BCF should have consulted team representatives as to when and how to complete the league and the scheduling of dates. All teams need mobilization money to compete, be it teams from outside Gabs or within. Unfortunately, the little we get from BCF is not enough, therefore mobilizing during times like this will be difficult. In my opinion, the BCF should engage clubs more. The core mandate of Debswana for sponsoring this event is to groom our youth players, and the federation is doing the opposite right now. I feel like they have not thought this through and they need to engage clubs so we sensitize or remind them of issues like these ,” he said.
Early this week BCF shared that they suffered a mishap of losing out the results accumulated and recorded on chess results platform for the first three rounds of the league which was played in March. Results were said to have been long lost in the server, something they attributed to the delay in resumption of the league. However, it has since been reported that the federation has managed to recover the results after FIDE intervened. While BCF spokesperson, Kutlwano Tatolo couldn’t discuss the matter with this publication, Ratings & Tournament Director Lesego Selemogwe shared the insights.
“I did lose my laptop then, that’s how we lost the results. Playing the league in a fortnight is an executive proposal to clubs but as of now no team has shown displeasure about the whole thing. We still waiting to see if anyone will come forth,” he said.
The league is sponsored by Debswana to the tune of P127 800.00 with champions, second and third placed teams pocketing P15000, P11000 and P9000 respectively.
As it stands , Ramotswa, Enpassent and Black Bishops Chess clubs lead the rankings on position 1 to 3 with 6 and 5 match points respectively after three rounds of play. It remains to be seen who will take a commanding lead over the weekend provided the league will be played.