The man whose name is synonymous with chess in Botswana has finally attained the coveted Fide Master Title.
Ignatius Njobvu is the longest standing chess player in Botswana and first became the National Champion at the age of 12.Njobvu has dominated chess for the past 20years and has come through as the most consistent player of all times. Having won the national championship three times, the world chess body recently awarded him the Fide Master title. The title means he is now recognised among the chess masters in the world. This followed his recent record performance on the highest chess stage in Istanbul at the chess Olympics. His score of 8/10 was the best ever posted by a Motswana player at that level.
Njobvu’s style of play has eluded his opponents for quite sometime. The world’s greatest chess players are renowned for their indepth research and for their close observation of documented chess theories and principles. Whilst Njobvu is well studied on chess theories,he has left many of his opponents puzzled by going against documented moves and still winning the games. In chess,a player who disregards the tested moves and ideas should naturally loose his games against stronger opponents.In contrast Njobvu’s creativity and calm demeanour on the board has seen him stand his ground even against the most feared chess grandmasters.
Some chess pundits argue that Njobvu could have long attained his title if he played according to the ‘book’. His achievement makes him the third male Fide Master in Botswana after Boipuso Samuel and Phemelo Khetho.
When asked about his achievement,Njobvu attributed it to the stiff local competition he faces.He list some of his longterm fiercest opponents on the board as Tebogo Pitlagano, Barileng Gaealafshwe and Phemelo Khetho.His current nightmare is the reigning national champion Providence Oatlhotse.’There is a lot of talent in this country and am impressed by the current crop of upcoming players,notably Thato Olebile and Puso Mabetu’commented Njobvu when asked about the future of Botswana chess.
