Lihloela Motlomelo and Taioe Reitumetse emerged as the winners of the 2024 Lesotho Easter Chess Open on Sunday 31 March 2024.
Seeded 16th pulled a shocker outshining several top-rated players to emerge as the open section champion. Lihloela edged a tiebreaker over Mohammed George saw him ascending as the open champion with six points.
The 21-year-old didn’t lose a game in the competition managing five victories and two draws over tournament top-ranked Sechaba Khalema and Letsatsi Khama.
Mohammed George and Bahlakoana Ntsanyana finished second and third respectively whilst tournament top seed Sechaba Khalema finished 5th.
Just like the open section, the ladies’ section also had its only fair share of surprises as 5th seed Taioe Reitumetse claimed the title with 5,5 points, thanks to a victory over top seed WFM Ngatane Lieketseng in the last round. Lintle Molise was the top performing player in the tournament securing a silver medal with five points, this was after a tiebreaker was applied between her, Bonolo Ntsielo, and WCM Maboloko Leboela.