Overview
The Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF) successfully hosted the chess events at the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun State, showcasing high-level competition among Nigeria’s finest chess talents. The tournament featured intense strategic battles, with Rivers, Bayelsa, and Oyo emerging as dominant forces, securing multiple gold medals in team, board, and blitz categories.
Key Highlights & Medal Standings
Men’s Team Event
🏆 Gold: Team Oyo – Abdulraheem led a well-coordinated squad to victory.
🥈 Silver: Team Bayelsa – A strong outing from Kigigha Bomo & teammates.
🥉 Bronze: Team Delta – Olanrewaju Ajibola & co. ensured a podium finish.
Women’s Team Event
🏆 Gold: Team Rivers – Igbigbi Nora spearheaded their triumph.
🥈 Silver: Team Delta – Nzeako Chizoba Treasure & squad battled hard.
🥉 Bronze: Team Oyo – Samson Peace led Oyo to a respectable third place.
Individual Board Event Performances
Men’s Boards:
- 🏆 Board 1 Gold: Abdulraheem Akintoye (Oyo)
- 🏆 Board 3 Gold: Habila Jehu Thomas (Bauchi)
- 🏆 Board 5 Gold: Matan Adebayo Oludayo (Ogun)
Women’s Boards:
- 🏆 Board 1 Gold: Quickpen Deborah Ebimo (Bayelsa)
- 🏆 Board 2 Gold: Iguehi Elora Oise (Rivers)
- 🏆 Board 3 Gold: Nwankwo Michele Chiamaka (Rivers)
- 🏆 Board 5 Gold: Treasure Ebiakpo (Bayelsa)
Blitz Event Standouts
Men’s Blitz:
🏆 Gold: Odion Aikhoje (Rivers)
🥈 Silver: Oluwadurotimi Lapite (Rivers)
🥉 Bronze: Kennedy Onokpite (Oyo)
Women’s Blitz:
🏆 Gold: Quickpen Deborah (Bayelsa)
🥈 Silver: Ebiakpo Ebidise (Bayelsa)
🥉 Bronze: Udemba Chinyere Blessing (Delta)
Analysis & Insights
- Rivers and Bayelsa emerged as powerhouse states, dominating in both team and individual categories.
- Oyo’s strategic prowess was reflected in their team gold medal, proving their depth and resilience.
- Delta remained competitive, securing multiple silver and bronze medals, affirming their solid chess foundation.
- Bayelsa excelled in Blitz, showcasing their ability to think quickly under pressure and adapt to fast-paced play.
Future Prospects & Preparation for Upcoming Events
As Nigeria’s chess landscape continues to evolve, the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF) is taking strategic steps to prepare for future tournaments:
🏆 Talent Development:
- Strengthening grassroots training programs to discover new talent across states.
- Expanding junior chess academies to groom young players for international competitions.
🌍 International Exposure:
- Partnering with African Chess Confederation (ACC) & FIDE for access to global training programs.
- Encouraging top players to participate in continental and world chess events to gain experience.
🔎 Training Camps & Coaching Initiatives:
- Hosting intensive coaching clinics for medal-winning teams.
- Providing access to advanced training tools for tactical improvement.
🏁 Road to Next Championships:
- Early preparations for the African Chess Championships and World Chess Olympiad, where Nigeria hopes to make a strong impact.
- Organizing regional qualifiers to enhance competitiveness and readiness for elite-level play.
The momentum from NSF 2024 has set the tone for future excellence in Nigerian chess, ensuring that the country remains a key contender on the global stage.
Download the full report by the National Chess Federation here .
