Providence Oatlhotse broke the jinx to be the first Motswana to be a chess International master. The most maverick chess player in the country who trades under the nickname ‘Bang Bang’ was always set to make history.
Providence combines flamboyance and confidence which can be confused for arrogance especially during the game. A chess game is characterised by absolute silence and overwhelming tension as players try to find the best moves. Contrary to normality, during the game, Providence can be seen pacing up and down like an agitated boxer, making facial gestures and gallantly moving his pieces with the swiftness of a computer program. His precision on the board is unparalleled and his tactical awareness can best be described by the top Argentinean grandmaster that he crushed at the just ended chess Olympiad.
His penchant for breaking records is not a new thing. He is the only player to have won the national championship 4 times and the first motswana to checkmate a chess Grandmaster. Providence pronounced his presence in 2002 as an ‘unknown’ to win the board prize ahead of the favourites Ignatious Njobvu and Ofentse Molale. Chess as a game has very few surprises and one needs to have invested days and hours of study to beat a higher rated player. Entering Providence’s room, one is confronted by three chess sets on the table with different chess positions on them. His chess books fill the shelf one would think he is doctorate student.
‘Chess is not any different from academics, one needs to invest time and use the proper methods of study to achieve desired results’ lamented providence when asked about his secret. Being an International master means Providence is one step away from the converted Grandmaster(GM) Title. Attaining the GM title is one of the toughest journeys a chess player can embark on and Providence will have to play in many international tournaments where he can accumulate the much needed points(elo ratings).Currently there is only one grandmaster is southern Africa.
One of his fearless enemies on the board Ignatious Njobvu describes him as the Mahommed Ali of Botswana chess.’he is such an all rounder who combines different styles of play and his tactical ability is so amazing’
