Besa removes barriers for young girls in chess

he Chess Community is about to witness an exciting event that will brighten the game for aspiring chess players, particularly young girls. The highly awaited combination of 2023 Elite Besa Masaiti Women International Master ( WIM) Norm Chess Championships and Botswana Women International Open Chess Tournament is set to take place from the 17th to the 24th of December 2023 at Cresta Hotel in Gaborone.

This event holds immense importance for chess players, especially those aiming to become WIMs. The WIM Norm is an important achievement that highlights a female player’s skills and brings them closer to the full WIM title. Attaining the WIM honor not only brings recognition but also opens up new opportunities for female players to compete at higher levels and gain exposure in the world of chess.

The Elite Besa Masaiti WIM Norm Tournament, held by invitation only, promises exciting competition among some of the most talented chess players. With a top prize of P12000.00, the prize structure, according to the lead organizer, Charles Masaiti, who is also Besa’s father, ensures that players are motivated to give their best and showcase their talent at the event.

In parallel, the Botswana Women International Open Chess Tournament offers another opportunity for the female chess players to compete on an international level. With prizes totaling P23,000, the players in this section will also be rewarded for their performances.

Both events feature unique formats and time controls that challenge players to showcase their abilities and their strategic thinking. The Elite Besa Masaiti WIM Norm section follows a Round Robin format with 9 rounds spread over 7 days, while the Botswana Women International Open features a Swiss format with 7 rounds played over 3 days.

The initiative owner, Woman Fide Master, Besa Masaiti, is an exceptional young chess player who has overcome various obstacles to reach the pinnacle of her chess career. Besa’s remarkable achievements include balancing her academic pursuits with her sporting ambitions, becoming the first Botswana National Sport Commission Elite Scholarship recipient in chess.

Besa’s tenacity and determination have led to significant breakthroughs in her academic journey as well. She is currently studying Masters in Financial Engineering at Lehigh University in the United States of America ( USA), after graduating a year earlier at Texas University, still in the USA. Besa is utilizing her knowledge in coding, machine learning, and programming to explore the intersection of chess and finance in her final project.

As an influential trailblazer, Besa has taken the initiative to organize this first- ever WIM Norm Chess Championship in Botswana, making a resounding impact on the chess community. The 2023 Elite Besa Masaiti WIM Norm Chess Championships and the Botswana Women International Open Chess Tournament symbolize a turning point in chess, particularly for aspiring young girls. Through this initiative, Besa and the organizers aim to change the game for the girl child, inspiring them to pursue their passion for chess while breaking barriers and reaching new heights.