The 2024 Nigeria National Chess Championship Qualifiers (Women) served as a crucial event in Nigerian chess, aimed at selecting players to participate in the main national chess championship scheduled for October 2024. At the end of the Qualifiers, four players will join the invitational section for the women’s event.
Event Overview
The championship took place from August 14-17, 2024, at the Chevron Recreation Centre in Gbagada, Lagos. Organized by the Orchid Lekki Chess Club led by Club President—Kunle Kasumun, the event featured twelve female chess players invited to compete over seven rounds, including Ivie Urieto, who received a wild card to participate. Automatic qualifications were given to eight players. A total of 12 players will participate in the Nigeria National Chess Championship 2024.
Tournament Format
Players battled under a classical time control of 90 minutes with a 30-second increment from move one. The Swiss System was used for pairings. The tournament was directed by Rex Ogunnaike, with Ilaboya Adebayo Iriafen as the Chief Arbiter, supported by arbiters Debola Adeyemi and Oluwole Dayo Fajinmi.
Highlights of Results
- Chizoba Treasure Nzeako emerged victorious with 5.5 points, demonstrating her dominance.
- Joy Felix Erhabor secured second place with 4.5 points.
- Rejoice Kira Ishaya also scored 4.5 points, taking third on tiebreaks.
- Yemi Osundinakin took fourth place on tiebreaks but shared second and third place.
- Despite being the top-rated player, Erhabor finished second, and Yemi Osundinakin, rated fourth, matched the second and third-place finishers with 4.5 points. The tournament saw close competition, with the top 8 players scoring 3.5 points or more.
This qualifier has set the stage for an exciting national championship in 2024, as chess players and fans look forward to it.
Final Ranking After Round 7 can be found here.
The Twelve players who will participate in the Nigeria Chess Championship 2024 (Women) event are:
| Name | Qualification Path | |
| 1. | Deborah Quickpen | Defending Champion |
| 2. | WFM Ofowino Toritsemuwa | Rating |
| 3. | Suleiman Azumi Ayisha | Rating |
| 4. | Onoja Iyefu Joy | Rating |
| 5. | Michael Bridget | Rating |
| 6. | Peace Sampson | Rating |
| 7. | Michelle Nwankwo | Highest Rated Junior (Substitute) |
| 8. | Ajanwachukwu Eunice | Wild Card |
| 9. | Chizoba Treasure Nzeako | Trials |
| 10. | Joy Felix Erahbor | Trials |
| 11. | Rejoice Kira Ishaya | Trials |
| 12. | Yemi Osundinakin | Trials |
