Seabata Mahao
Lesotho’s emerging chess star, Naleli McPherson, has secured the title of top female player in the prestige section at the recent Bojanala FIDE in the Sparkling Waters 2024 Chess Tournament in Rustenburg, South Africa.
McPherson’s impressive performance earned her a prestigious trophy, a gold medal, and a cash prize of M3 000 in the tournament held from August 16-18.
The tournament, which drew 30 chess enthusiasts competing in both the prestige and junior categories, featured intense competition. The games followed a standard time control of 90 minutes with a 30-second increment from move one. McPherson triumphed in the Women’s section, achieving 3.5 points to claim the top female player title.
Notable guests at the event included Chess Master, Thuso Mosutha, from Botswana and Ntando Zwakala from South Africa, adding to the tournament’s prestige.
In an exclusive interview with Newsday Sports, McPherson expressed her excitement over the victory, especially after taking a break from chess. She noted the significance of participating in the prestige category, which is reserved for highly rated players.
“This is a significant milestone for me. I played in a section that includes both men and women. It is believed that women should compete alongside men to gain experience and exposure,” McPherson said.
She further highlighted the importance of the Bojanala FIDE tournament, noting that it is one of the largest events hosted by the region.
“This tournament is one of the biggest after the Bojanala Chess Closed Championships, which is a more exclusive event for active Bojanala players. The open nature of this tournament allows for greater participation,” she explained.
Reflecting on her experience, McPherson recounted the challenges she faced.
“I lost my first game to a player from Botswana, which was unexpected. This made me question if returning to chess was the right decision. However, I drew my second game with a player from Bojanala FIDE and lost to a chess coach in the third round. I managed to win all my remaining games,” she said.
McPherson also acknowledged the competitive nature of the tournament.
“This year, there were four women in the category, including two from Bojanala and one from Botswana, who were higher rated than me. Despite this, I emerged as the top player from Lesotho.”
She also praised the Bojanala FIDE region for their commitment to their players. “The Bojanala FIDE tournament is a significant event that raises funds for their players. I joined their region because they prioritize their players’ development,” McPherson noted.
Although McPherson has joined the Bojanala FIDE, she remains affiliated with the Lesotho Chess Federation (LCF).
“I’m still part of the LCF and will participate in all tournaments I can. I took a break to improve my game and am now focused on participating in future events, including the 2026 Chess Olympiads, depending on my responsibilities at that time,” she added.
According to the International Chess Federation (ICF), McPherson holds the title of Arena FIDE Master (AFM) and ranks 32nd in Lesotho, 4983rd in Africa, and 129044th globally, with ratings of 1610 in standard chess and 1539 in blitz.
The tournament was also attended by FIDE Masters and Chess Masters from the Southern Region, further highlighting the event’s significance in the chess community.
