Report by Fasinu Tolulope
Fifty-nine (59) players converge in Abuja for the biggest Junior Rapids Chess event in Nigeria (also in West Africa) so far, with a grand prize of N425,000 ($1114.75, at the time of this article) teenagers have come in from various states across the country, some with their manager, guardian, and parent(s).
The Abuja Edition is the second of Nationwide junior chess tour by Danhypro Chess Academy and is taking place in the event hall of Royalton Hotel, a four-star hotel in Area 2, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
Read about the first edition here: Danhypro U20 Chess Tour 2021 Port Harcourt Edition: Okemakinde, Olisa, Onoja, Ekunke Dazzles
The organizers continue to set a very good standard for Junior Chess in Nigeria by providing a conducive environment and use of standard equipment for the Danhypro U-20 Chess Tournament National Tour. According to the FIDE handbook, the Danhypro Chess Organizers have passed over 60% of the requirements to host a FIDE CERTIFIED tournament.
Of the 59 participants, 11 players hold FIDE rapid ratings ranging from 1400-2000 ELO which means, if this tournament were FIDE rated, at least 10 more players will be earning FIDE RAPID RATING, but sadly this edition of the Danhypro U20 Chess Tournament will not be rated.
Well, rated or not the players are in high spirit and we can expect some enjoyable chess-filled two days. Some of the best juniors are present, namely: Okemakinde Toluwanimi (winner of the Port Harcourt edition), CM Okeke Isaac, Eyetonghan Denyefa Callistus, Olisa Tennyson, Matan Adebayo Oludayo, Onoja Iyefu Joy, just to mention a few.
See the full list of participants here on Chess-Results Server.
You can watch the games played on board 1 via this link: Board 1
Report by Fasinu Tolulope