The Botswana Chess Federation has successfully concluded its 2026 National Team Selection Finals, culminating a championship defined by competitive integrity, and alignment with the governance standards of the African Chess Confederation and FIDE.
Hosted at Yarona Country Lodge, the tournament brought together Botswana’s strongest players in both the Open and Women’s Sections for a demanding and meticulously organised selection process.
A rigorous multi-phase qualification battle
The championship featured a round-robin format, ensuring that each contender faced every other opponent in their respective section. Beyond its format, the tournament unfolded in several phases, each increasing in intensity. Sustaining performance across multiple phases required endurance, discipline, and elite-level focus.
Open Section: Experience reaffirmed, youth rising
In the Open Section, Mothudi Arnold Mogotsi emerged as tournament winner after a composed and strategically mature campaign. His performance marks a significant return to the pinnacle of Botswana chess.
Joining him are Sebetlela Gaasite, CM Thuto Mpene, and CM Thuso Mosutha, each of whom demonstrated consistency and fighting spirit throughout the contest. The qualification of Gaasite and Mpene, in particular, reflects the continued success of Botswana’s youth development structures and signals a strong generational transition in national chess.
The team is further strengthened by the automatic inclusion of the country’s highest-rated player, IM Providence Oatlhotse, whose international experience adds depth and leadership to the squad.
Women’s Section: Stability and strategic growth
In the Women’s Section, WIM Onkemetse Mendu Francis once again showcased her class and consistency, securing qualification through a strong performance.
She will be joined by WCM Maya Otimile, WCM Amolemo Atlang Mosweu, and WCM Laone Phoebe Moshoboro, an ambitious trio whose qualification reflects the steady growth of women’s chess in Botswana. Their achievement marks a significant milestone not only in their individual careers, but also in the broader strengthening of the women’s competitive structure nationally.
Completing the team is WFM Natalie Banda, the country’s highest-rated female player, whose presence ensures experience and rating strength across the boards.
“The successful completion of the 2026 National Team Selection Championship signifies far more than the announcement of a national squad. It reflects the continued institutional growth of the Botswana Chess Federation, the strength of our transparent and merit-driven qualification framework, and the effectiveness of a clearly defined pathway from youth development to elite national representation. By integrating experienced masters with an ambitious new generation of talent, we are demonstrating both continuity and strategic foresight a model aligned with the development vision of the African Chess Confederation and FIDE. As we prepare for continental and global engagements, Botswana enters the 2026 cycle united, structurally stronger, and firmly focused on delivering competitive excellence on the international stage,” said Kutlwano “Jady” Tatolo President of Botswana Chess Federation
Preparing for global and continental engagement
The selected teams will represent Botswana at the prestigious Chess Olympiad 2026, to be staged in Uzbekistan. The Olympiad remains the foremost global team chess event, offering nations an opportunity to benchmark progress against the world’s elite while gaining invaluable competitive exposure.
In addition, Botswana will host the African Individual Chess Championship 2026 in June. Hosting this flagship continental event underscores Botswana’s growing organisational capacity and its expanding role within African chess structures.