Chess Federation to be officially launched

The Lesotho national chess open will be held in Maseru on February 28 and 29 as part of celebrations marking the official launching of the Lesotho Chess Federation (LCF), vice president Rasephei Hlalele announced on January 6.  

Bargain workshops, coaching clinics and courses for administrators and players will be integrated into the tournament as well as demonstrations by a visiting South African  delegation that will also teach chess theory to participants, Hlalele said.

"The tournament will also serve to help identify the players who will be groomed into a national squad in preparation for chess tournaments leading up to the 2004 chess Olympiad to be held in Spain.

Hlalele said a short while before the tournament, on February 7, they would organise a competition to familiarise local chess players with modern rules of the game, since the Federation is still new in the country.

Chess South Africa president, Lyndon Bouah has promised to help the local federation register with the world chess umbrella body, which would also help the locals with their training needs, including chess sets, computers, clocks and literature, Hlalele announced.

LCF was formed last year with the purpose of promoting chess and establishing a competitive chess league that would enable local teams to participate internationally.

07 January 2004