WFM Besa Masaiti - Interview (2025)

1
question: How old are you and how long have you been a master?
answer: I am 22 years old and have been a WFM since 2017
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2
question: Who taught you how to play chess?
answer: My dad taught me how to play as well as Mr. Mothokomedi Thabano, who is a former Botswana Chess Federation President
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3
question: Can you tell me an interesting or funny story that happened in your chess life?
answer: I'll go with a funny story. In 2018 I went to play the African Schools Championships in 2018 and was top 5 in the starting rank or so, probably favorite for a medal at least. On round 1 i lost to a girl from Angola who was lower rated. The result prompted my dad to travel all the way from Botswana to where we were in South Africa. He's my manager and so his theatrical visit was funny and encouraging...I ended up winning the gold medal with 7.5/9
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4
question: Are there many masters in your country?
answer: Yes many, both in the Open Section and Women's section. For women we have 1 WGM, 4 WIMs, and a couple of WFMs and WCMs
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5
questionWhich of the outstanding chess players of your country can you name?
answer: I'd say WGM Tuduetso Sabure, the first WGM from sub saharan africa
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6
question: How developed is the chess culture in Botswana ?
answer: I think we're doing very well in turning grass roots development players to professional level. More can be done in terms of elite playing- producing more 2000+ rated players and more titles beyond FM.
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7
question: What changes would you like to see in Botswana chess life in the future?
answer: Getting more funding and sponsorship, hosting more top tier events and hosting world class chess players for cross pollination- more bootcamps as they did in the soviet school of chess haha
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8
question: Does Botswana have any names for chess pieces?
answer: We usually just keep the english name. However I can translate a few chess piece english names to Tswana haha. Like; knight=pitsi, king=kgosi..
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9
question: How do you feel about the idea of teaching chess in school? Is there such a practice in Botswana?
answer: I am an advocate of it, the game helped me grow by God's Grace to enhance myself academically especially in high school. It teaches endurance and 3 dimensional thinking, which would all be crucial for brain development of kids in schools... Botswana appreciates chess but schools wise, the closest thing we have is after school chess clubs and a program owned by Botswana National Sports Council called Re ba bona ha useful for integrating sport into childrens' lives
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10
question: What other games are popular in Botswana? Maybe there are some folk games unique to the people of Botswana?
answer: Athletics are football are up there in terms of popularity. We famously have runners Tebogo Letsile and Isaac Makwala among others.. folk wise I'd say we have games like diketo and morabaraba, fun games indeed
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11
question: Are there any websites for chess players in Botswana?
answer: Hmmmmm, not that I know of. Though Botswana Chess Federation's main facebook page has details on many players
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12
question: Does everyone in your family play chess?
answer: No, just me, my dad, my brother and my mum a little. My baby sister has said she can't be bothered with staring at a board for a long time
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13
question: Do you have books on chess at home or do you use information from the Internet?
answer: I use both, my fav is anything written by Mark Dvoretsky and a puzzles book by John Nunn. Online tools are useful as well+
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14
question: Do you prefer chess online or playing real chess? And why?
answer: In person chess, because we get to reconnect with nature so to speak and touch tangible pieces haha. And of coursz playing after-the-tournament blitz OTB is a 1000 times better than online. I think better when playing in person as well haha
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15
question: How do you feel about defeats if they happen?
answer: I used to throw tantrums but as I grew older I have grown to learn to take it like 'a champ'. I reassess my failings/ blunders and try to work from there before preparing for the next round
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16
question: What is your dream?
answer: In general it's to Glorify God and to follow Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior in all I do. Chess wise; to reach the WGM title, cross over 2000 elo and grow the game of elite chess for women via my chess academy- Rehoboth Chess Academy
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17
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18
question: And this question is not about chess: do you have a favorite movie and what kind of music do you listen to?
answer: Favorite movie; Pride and prejudice 2005, I listen to gospel, afro pop, instrumental hymns, some classical music..
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19
What is the weather like now?
That's nice very cold, I am not in botswana at the moment, but the weather should be nice and balmy
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20
question: What can you wish our readers?
answer: I hope they enjoy the article and that God blesses them in their lives and with the knowledge of him
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Let us thank Besa for the wonderful interview and wish her new victories and achievements!

The interview was conducted by gumanitarij (Stepan Mamakin)
April 9th, 2025