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 |
