REPORT BY Abah Samuel E
The 2025 Nigeria National Chess Championships truly came alive on Day Two, following the glamour of the opening ceremony. From the early hours, the playing venue buzzed with energy as over 300 young players arrived, boards in sight and minds sharpened, ready to test their skills on the national stage.
By around 10:00 am, the pieces were in motion. The youth categories got underway with three rounds of intense chess, setting the tone for a day filled with excitement. But while the juniors brought passion and fire, the spotlight later shifted to the Invitational section, where Nigeria’s elite players served up two rounds of top‑class chess that lived up to every expectation.
Youth Categories: Show of Raw Talent
The waiting area for the youth section was a lively mix of anticipation and anxiety. Parents and guardians sat patiently, eyes fixed on the doors of the playing hall, while the young players across the U20, U14, and U10 categories waited for their names to be called. Anyone familiar with competitive chess could read the emotions clearly: excitement, uncertainty, and fierce determination.
Under 20: Big Names Make Early Statements
The U20 category got underway under the familiar Swiss system, with higher-rated players paired against lower-rated opponents. While there were no easy games, the early rounds largely reflected the gap in experience, as the top seeds asserted themselves across the boards.
Jamiu Ninilowo of Chess in Slums Africa wasted no time in announcing his intentions, grinding out a hard-fought victory against Harshit Shakya in a game that demanded patience and accuracy. Osayande Victory (2123 ), the highest-rated player in the section and one of the pre-tournament favourites, also began his campaign on a positive note, claiming a solid win with the black pieces after a resilient and composed performance.
However, unrated youngster Aadyansh Maharana made an immediate statement by upsetting Audu Jonah (1728), recording the first notable surprise of the section and serving early notice that the U20 field would not simply follow the ratings on paper.
Under 14: Fearless and Sharp
If Day Two proved anything, it is that today’s U14 players are not afraid to attack. The games were sharp, aggressive, and surprisingly mature, with combinations and positional ideas well beyond their years. AFM Agusionu Kevin impressed with a convincing first‑round win playing black, while Evbuomwan Henry delivered one of the standout performances of the day. Playing white, Henry showed remarkable patience, steadily improving his position before striking with a decisive tactical blow; a performance any seasoned player would admire.
Under 10: Chaos, Joy, and Sparks of Brilliance
As expected, the U10 section provided its own brand of entertainment. There were bold ideas, obvious blunders, and moments of pure creativity, the kind that remind everyone why chess is so captivating. Beyond the moves, however, the real highlight was the joy on the faces of the children. Win or lose, they were simply happy to be part of the experience
I must say, I admired how the Parents, seemed less concerned with results and more focused on enthusiasm and effort. In many ways, that spirit alone felt like a victory.
Invitational Section: Where Experience Meets Precision
If the youth categories showed promise, the Invitational section delivered elite‑level chess. Here, games were decided not only by tactics, but by psychology, preparation, and endgame technique. The two rounds played on Day Two offered spectators exactly what they came for: deep ideas, long battles, and no easy points.
In Round One, FM Bomo Kigigha (2259) faced FM Abiola Daniel Akinseye (2238) in a Dutch Defence that gradually turned into a positional masterclass. After a theoretical opening phase, Kigigha seized the initiative with the subtle 11.cxd5, exploiting Black’s awkward piece placement. From there, he patiently increased the pressure, squeezing space and activity until his advantage became clear. It was a calm, controlled display of high‑level chess.
On Board One, IM Oluwafemi Balogun (2194) and Bartholomew Okhipo (2216) fought to a hard‑earned draw in a Caro‑Kann Advance Variation. The middlegame featured tense manoeuvring before queens were exchanged, leading to a rook endgame that tested both players’ endurance. Despite Balogun’s ambitious king march deep into enemy territory, Okhipo’s active rook defence held firm, and the game ended with a well‑deserved split point.
Round Two produced another highlight on Board Three, where FM Abdulrahman Akintoye Abdulraheem (2317) outplayed FM Denyefa Callistus Eyetonghan (2273) in a Slav Exchange. After an early queen trade, Abdulraheem demonstrated excellent endgame technique, gradually improving his position, activating his king, and converting his advantage after 57 moves. It was a lesson in patience and precision.
Women’s Invitational:
The Women’s Invitational also delivered compelling battles. In Round One, top board saw Azeezat Abdulsalam (1878) defeat Jessica Pelomoh (1868) in a sharp Slav Defence. Abdulsalam’s active knight dominated the middlegame, and after queens were exchanged, she converted her advantage with confidence, eventually sealing the win in a long rook endgame.
Round Two saw Pelomoh Jesicca respond strongly, holding Samson Peace to a hard‑fought draw in a tense 60‑move encounter that tested both players’ mental strength. On Board Three, WCM Deborah Ebimobo‑ere Quickpen (2116) recorded an impressive victory over the defending women’s champion, Ofowino Toritsemuwa (2018), in a tactical French Defence Winawer. After complications erupted in the middlegame, Quickpen kept her nerve, pushed her passed pawn with authority, and forced resignation on move 59.
Day Two Verdict
By the close of Day Two, the 2025 Nigeria National Chess Championships had fully found its rhythm. From the fearless brilliance of the juniors to the composed mastery of the Invitational players, the quality of chess on display was unmistakable.
With the standings still wide open and plenty of rounds to play, Day Three promises even more drama. Every point now matters, every board has a story to tell, and the battle across the 64 squares is only just beginning.
