Junior Team Preparations Impress BCF

Junior Team Preparations Impress BCF
Boitumelo Khutsafalo
Staff Writer
Monday, 15 June 2009

A Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) official has said they are impressed by the preparations of the team that will take part in the Africa Youth Chess Championship in Cape Town later this month.

BCF youth development coordinator, Tshimologo Kolaatamo explained that the recent training camp for the team will allow a proper build up to the tournament. He said the team’s managing committee is encouraged with the amount of game time the players got in tournaments and during the training camp held on May 16-17 at the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) Athletes Village in Gaborone.

“It is good for us because at least we know their standard. At the end of all these preparations, they will be at the required level and they would be in a position to compete with some of the tough players,” he said. The players for the African event are drawn from the Under-10, Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 teams. Five girls and five boys will represent in the tournaments that starts on June 29. The team is managed by Kolaatamo. He said the training camp covered the game’s opening principles and its basics, playing with black or white, tactics and the middle game.

Kolaatamo said training players from different playing background needs a proper and careful approach. He added that the African Youth Championships will develop chess in Botswana and expose the young players.

“The winners will also get the chance to represent the country and the continent in Turkey at the World Youth Chess Championships,” he added. Kolaatamo said there is need to engage the BNSC so that the council does not limit players’ time on board study.

He feels the Under-10 players should be thoroughly drilled on a regular basis.

Source: http://www.mmegi.bw