Chess star’s father goes the extra mile

They say a father knows best and he is not afraid of going to the end of the world to do anything for his child. It is a statement that summarises the determination that chess star, Besa Masaiti’s father, Charles, had to endure to stage a successful international chess championship in December.

The Elite Besa Masaiti International Chess Championship is the chess player’s and Charles’ brainchild.

Besa is a Woman FIDE Master now based in the United States of America. The championship attracted some of the world’s top ranked women chess players and was won by Woman Grand Master (WGM), Alina L’ami from Romania. Woman International Master (WIM) Anna Kubicka from Poland finished second and another Polish player, WIM Alicja Sliwicka muscled her way into third position.

Botswana was represented by Besa, WFM Naledi Marape and WIM Onkemetse Francis.

The passion that Besa (22) has for chess can be traced to her father who also played chess but did not reach the professional level.

Speaking to MmegiSport after the tournament, Besa said she feels blessed.

“We fought hard for this together with my father to make this vision come true. We also had to overcome negative talk from the chess community. This was a strong tournament for us as local players. The nine rounds that we played were tougher than the usual test that team Botswana faces at Chess Olympiad in my opinion. The tournament was great practice and an experience,” Besa said.

She explained that the feedback from Woman Grand Master (WGM) Nino Maisuradze of France was that Botswana players struggled with keeping bishops and defending week squares. Besa said the aim of the tournament was to create competition that can allow local players and Southern African players to get a chance to improve ratings.

“Myself and WIM Jesse February from South Africa gained ratings from the event. My wish is for the tournament to be held on an annual basis. From here, it is back to the drawing board and (we) plan for the 2024 edition, of course with the blessing of the sponsors,” she said.

Another African player that took part in the tournament was 11-yearold Nigerian national champion, Deborah Quickpen. Charles, who has trekked her daughter’s rise in chess, said Besa started playing the game in her family home since childhood.

“She started manifesting when she was in Standard Five at Ikhutseng Primary School in Francistown.

Her fortunes changed for the best when she met Mothokomedi Thabano (former Botswana Chess Federation president) who accelerated her ambitions,” he said.

Charles said surprisingly since Standard Six, his daughter has been busy with school and at the same time, playing chess. He said during the December tournament, Besa delivered the impossible after spending nearly two years fighting for survival.

“She fought tooth and nail to make the cut in the national team when a controversial decision was made to exclude her from the 2022 Olympiad team. Her inclusion resulted in senior players boycotting (the national team). Since 2023, she has been battling scholarship recognition after graduating a year ahead of schedule to study Masters in Financial Engineering. A case which is still under consideration by the government,” he said.

Besa was doing her undergraduate degree in Economics at Texas Tech University and graduated in August. She was set to graduate in May 2024.

Charles said despite the challenges her daughter had to endure, she received some external support from the USA to proceed with her Masters while her appeal is still under review at the Ministry of Education and Skills Development.

He said Besa managed to lobby more than P76, 000 from First Presbyterian Church (USA) and mobilise international chess players amid her final examinations during her Masters study.

Charles added that maybe it is high time Besa received recognition for her efforts to grow the

sport of chess.