ZIMBABWE chess player Spencer Masango was the toast of the 2021 Debswana Botswana Open Prestige tournament, where he finished in first place at the Legae Academy in Gaborone.
His 7/8 points were enough to land him the coveted title in a tournament where the youthful Taurai Muzhingi joined him as the only Zimbabwean participants in Gaborone.
Masango had to shrug off a fifth-round disappointment following his defeat against the tournament’s highest-rated player, IM Providence Oatlhotse, the only International Master in Botswana. It seemed Tswana champion with a rating of 2188 had won the tournament, but thanks to a draw against his fellow countryman Fide Master Phemelo Kheto in the sixth round.
The wheels continued to fall off as the tournament’s highest-ranked player was held to another draw by Candidate Master Barling Gaealafshwe in the final round. This was a theoretical draw in IM Oatlhotse failed to convert with a Bishop and outside passed pawn, which could not gain tempo in the game.
On the other hand, Masango took care of business by defeating Candidate Master Mosutha Thuso in a nail-biting affair before the Zimbabweans won another endgame which was very tactical and pressing.
In the final round, Masango defeated Gomolelo Rangawane of Botswana in a very tense encounter which he converted excitingly to pocket a cool 12 000 Pula.
This was the biggest cash prize for the tournament, followed by IM Oatlhotse, who had six points and walked away with 8000 Pula.
Fide Master Phemelo Kheto, another Motswana, received 6250 Pula after finishing third tied on 5.5 points
Mosutha Thuso.
Kgotlane Oratile finished with five points pocketing 3500 pula together with Gaealafshwe Barileng.
Olebile Thato, Rongwane Gomolelo, Kobe Gofaone, Bayani Kuda, Muzhingi Taurai and Pudungwane Lesole all finished with 4.5 points and pocketed 1167 Pula for their efforts completing the list of the winners in this prestige section which was thrilling and nail-biting.
Debswana bankrolled the tournament.
