Chess: Rising Stars Shine At National Championship

The 2023 Nigeria National Chess Championship is poised for an exhilarating finale after three days of thrilling showcases of chess prowess, strategy, and talent at the Orchid Hotel in Lekki, Lagos State.

In the Female Invitational section, Suleiman Ayisha and Quickpen Ebimobo-Ere have emerged as frontrunners, each amassing five points after the first three days and six rounds of intense chess battles. The competition remains fierce, with other players having three more days to either challenge these leaders or bow to the eventual queen of Nigeria’s chess scene.

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Meanwhile, in the main section of the championship, Akinseye Daniel, Olanrewaju Ajibola, and Adu Oladapo are locked in a tight race, all tied with four points. Close behind, Olisa Tennyson, Kigigha Lovet, and Abdulraheem Akintoye are not far off, boasting three and a half points each. The upcoming rounds promise an exhilarating chess fest at the 2023 National Chess Championship.

In the Masters category, seven players, including two International Masters, IM Aikhoje Odion, Lapite Opeoluwa, IM Okeke Isaac Chukwudalu, Koko Obubele, Okonkwo Walter, Igolukumo Felix, and Eyenghe Sunny are leading the pack with a perfect two points after two rounds. In the Opens category, twelve players out of sixty-one have achieved perfect results, setting the stage for a captivating contest as the tournament progresses.

In the Junior Section, where the future stars of Nigerian chess are emerging, players in three age groups (U10, U14, and U20) are competing for the title in each category. Quickpen Inifie leads the U10 category, followed closely by Somtochukwu Nwankwo, Bayefa Oyeinkeperemo, and Agusionu Kevin Chimaobi. In the U14 category, Agoro Timileyin clinched the top spot on tiebreaks, while in the U20 category, Tyowase Tyover Collins emerged as the clear winner.

In addition to the thrilling competition, the 3rd FIDE Education Commission’s Chess in Education training for Nigerian educators concluded successfully with a certification examination. Anzel Laubscher, a Women International Master from South Africa and a member of the FIDE Education Commission, oversaw the examination for thirty-three trainees, who are eagerly awaiting their results to see who qualifies for the School Instructor title.

As the 2023 Nigeria National Chess Championship enters its final stages, the chess community eagerly anticipates the crowning of champions and the continued growth of chess in Nigeria.