News

University of Botswana (UB) Chess Team delivered a commanding performance at the 2025 Botswana Tertiary Schools Sports Association (BOTESSA) Games held at the University’s Block 252 this past weekend, showcasing exceptional coordination, competitive spirit and strategic depth. The event not only highlighted UB’s dominance in tertiary chess but also served as a crucial preparation platform ahead of the upcoming national championships.

Competing in both the individual and team categories, UB fielded strong men’s and women’s squads that demonstrated tactical precision and composure throughout the tournament. The stakes were high. Only the top eight (8) individual players in both divisions qualified for the national championships while just the top two (2) teams in each division advanced to the next stage.

From the UB, Kaone Motlhako shone brightest in the women’s section, topping the leaderboard with the highest overall points. In the men’s section, Gideon Masaiti matched her brilliance by emerging as the top scorer, reaffirming UB’s reputation for producing formidable chess talent.

Their performances, coupled with the team’s overall discipline and sportsmanship, positioned the University of Botswana as a leading force in tertiary chess. UB’s strong showing at BOTESSA not only underscored its commitment to excellence in sports but also built solid momentum heading into the national championships, where the team is expected to contend strongly for top honours.