Lesotho Championship: Motlomelo Lihloela and Ngatane Lieketseng win titles
Motlomelo Lihloela and WFM Ngatane Lieketseng emerged as the winners of the 2024 Lesotho Championship. Both champions qualified for the national teams to represent the country in the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Both open and women’s events were 7-round Swiss tournaments running over three days. The 20th seed untitled Motlomelo Lihloela made a splash in the open tournament, taking the title with an impressive score of 6.5/7. Motlomelo won six straight games and made his only draw in the final round to secure the title. Ntsielo Bonolo and Taioe Reitumetse finished a full point behind the champion and tied for second place with the former taking silver thanks to a slightly better Buchholz. Final standings open: 1 Motlomelo, Lihloela 1590 6½ 2 Tsephe, Lebajoa 1859 5½ 3 Mahommed, George 1686 5½ 4 Sibeko, Siabonga 1642 5 5 Motsamai, Bokang 1783 5 6 CM Klaas, Tokelo 1869 5 7 Nkalimeng, Kananelo 1654 4½ 8 Ramakabane, Refuoe 1689 4 9 Phakisi, Katleho 1701 4 10 CM Molapo, Joang 1735 4 The women’s event was a very close race of two top seed players, WFM Ngatane Lieketseng and Ntsielo Bonolo, who scored 6/7 and tied for first place. The title goes to Ngatane thanks to a slightly better Buchholz. As many as three players shared third place with Taioe Reitumetse claiming bronze, scoring 1.5 points in the direct encounters. Final standings Women 1 Ngatane, Lieketseng 1673 6 2 Ntsielo, Bonolo 1654 6 3 Taioe, Reitumetse 1558 4½ 4 Sethabathaba, Boitumelo 1575 4½ 5 Thetsane, Nteboheleng 1531 4½ 6 Leboela, Maboloko 1572 4 7 Makhalemele, Lieketseng 1472 4 8 Molise, Lintle 3½ 9 Shao, Karabo 3½ 10 Makhebesela, Ponts’o 3 Photos: Chess Federation of Lesotho Facebook