The Africa Zone 4.2 Chess Championship is a significant regional event, featuring both Open and Women’s categories, and is part of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) zonal championships. It began on April 1, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, hosted by the Nigeria Chess Federation, and will conclude on April 9, 2025. This marks the first time Nigeria has hosted this championship for the West African region, coinciding with the federation’s 50th anniversary.
In the Open category, IM Mariano Ortega Amarelle from Cape Verde, rated at 2438, is the top seed and a former champion, having won in 2022 in Lomé, Togo, and 2023 in Dimbokro, Ivory Coast. The defending champion is Nigeria’s FM Abdulraheem Abdulrahman Akintoye, who won in 2024 in Monrovia, Liberia.
For the Women’s category, Nigeria’s WIM-Elect Toritsemuwa Ofowino, rated at 2049, is the top seed and a former champion, having won in 2022 in Lomé, Togo. She is also the defending champion, having won the 2024 title in Monrovia, Liberia.
The tournament includes 11 nations: Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Senegal, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Burkina Faso, representing the West African region under Zone 4.2.
The Nigeria Chess Federation is commended for organizing this event, noting their role in promoting chess development in West Africa.
