In an exciting display of skill and strategy, Nigerian chess players emerged victorious at the 2024 West African Chess Championship held in Marshall, Margibi County, Liberia from the 11th of May to the 17th of May, 2024.
The Nigerian chess team’s victory at the 2024 West African Chess Championship is a major achievement in the country’s chess history. This success highlights the dedication and talent of Nigerian chess players. The Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF) has played a key role in this success by promoting chess through training programs, tournaments, and youth development schemes. These efforts have helped identify and nurture talented players.
The tournament saw Nigeria’s FM Abdulrahman Akintoye Abdulraheem take the top spot with an impressive 8 points, followed closely by CM Kennedy Onokpite and FM Denyefa Callistus Eyetonghan, who both secured 7 points to claim second and third places respectively.
Final ranking for the Open Section
The Women section was equally dominated by Nigerian players, with Toritsemuwa Ofowino achieving a perfect score of 7 points to take first place. Abigail Karyah from Liberia took second place with 5 points, while Nigeria’s Bridget Michael secured third place with 4.5 points.
Final ranking for the Women section
This remarkable achievement showcases the talent and dedication of Nigerian chess players, who have once again proven their prowess on the regional stage. Congratulations to all the winners on their outstanding performance!
Chess is becoming more popular in Nigeria, especially in schools, clubs, and communities. Many young Nigerians are taking up chess to improve their cognitive skills. The team’s victory has raised expectations for the future, with hopes of seeing Nigerian players compete at the World Chess Championship. This win shows that Nigeria is a strong contender in the global chess community.
As the team returns home to a hero’s welcome, the focus will be on building on this success. The NCF plans to establish a national chess academy to provide top-notch training and coaching. The future looks bright for Nigerian chess, and this victory marks the beginning of a new era of excellence.
