African Individual Chess Championship begins in Jwaneng, Botswana

The Botswana Chess Federation is organizing the event, which features nearly 100 players from 17 nations competing in Open and Women's sections for a total prize fund of $30,050. The winner of the Open Section will receive $6,500, while the Women's Section winner will get $4,000. Prize money is distributed up to the eighth position in both sections.

The championship also includes a blitz category, with the Open Section winner taking home $800 and the Women's Section winner receiving $400. Botswana is represented by 11 players, including International Master Providence Oatlhotse in the Open Section and Woman International Master Onkemetse Francis in the Women's Section. WCM Refilwe Pitso and WFM Natalie Banda, based in the USA, have also joined the Botswana team.