Botswana’s chess prodigy, Refilwe Pitso, has been awarded the prestigious Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) tertiary elite scholarship to further her studies in Texas, USA. As a former Botswana National Chess Champion, she was recognized for her remarkable chess talent and academic excellence in the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE). She will enroll in a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and Computer Science Dual program at Texas Tech University, joining the ranks of accomplished players like Besa Masaiti, Naledi Marape, and Arona Moshoboro.
Refilwe Pitso is accustomed to receiving accolades, having initiated her chess journey at the age of nine during her Standard Three years in Moshupa. Her rise to prominence began with a silver medal in the Under-12 category at the Botswana Youth Chess Championships in 2016, and she has since consistently been featured on the podium.
Her recent achievements comprise bronze at the 2024 Metropolitan National Chess Championships, silver at the 2024 National Team Trials, gold at the 2024 Botho University and Tertiary Chess Championships, and another silver at the 2024 National Team Selection Finals.
Notably, she was crowned the Metropolitan National Chess Champion in 2022 and received the Junior Female Sportswoman of the Year award in 2020. Gabatshwarwe also contributed to the national team’s efforts during the World Online Chess Olympiad.
