The Ibadan Chess League Report for February 20th-21st

It was an all-packed Chess action weekend at the Maiden Edition of the Ibadan Chess League. The chess league which was held back due to the Covid-19 Lockdown resumed on Saturday, 20th of February 2021 with mouthwatering games between chess clubs. The round 8 games started at 10 am WAT.

Railway Chess Club –The Locomotives who had been on top of the table all through the lockdown was held to a draw by BKGC Juniors– a team of promising youngsters. Blazing Kings Chess Club thrashed Oyo Juniors 3-1. Gistcom Chess Club was walloped by RAIA Rooks Chess Club 1-3, UI Chess Club Showed superiority over their neighbors: IB poly Chess Club with a 3-0 clubbing. UCH also had a nice but close shave outing against Prochess Club: 2.5-1.5 while Bamboo Tower Chess Club had a walkover amounting to a 4-0 Victory.

The next round (Round 9) continued at 2 pm with explosive fixtures seeing Railway Chess club having a taste of their first defeat of the league 3-1 from RAIA Rooks Chess Club. Prochess Club Overpowered Oyo Juniors with a 3-1 victory. Gistcom held Blazing Kings to a 2-2 draw. Bamboo Tower Chess Club towers 2.5-1.5 against BKGC Juniors. UCH had a second win while delivering a second defeat to IB poly Chess Club and it was UI Chess Club’s turn to have a walkover.

The eventful weekend which had a rather emotional reunion of old players and infusion of new ones came to an end with Round 10 fixtures on Sunday, Feb 21^st by 12noon with Gistcom Chess Club Thumping Oyo Juniors 4-0.

Railway Chess Club and BKGC Juniors neutralizing themselves 2-2. Same with UI Chess Club and BKGC Juniors. Bamboo Tower Chess Club and Prochess Club defeated RAIA Rooks Chess Club and IB Poly Chess Club respectively while UCH enjoyed their own walkover.

The table at the end of the first outing after the lockdown experienced a rather significant change as RAIA Rooks Chess Club, Railway Chess Club, Blazing Kings Chess Club, and Bamboo Tower Chess Club are 1^st to 4^th respectively with the same 16 points only being separated by game score differences. UI Chess Club and UCH trail with 12 points, while BKGC Juniors, Gistcom Chess Club, Prochess Club, IB poly Chess Club, and Oyo Juniors are at the foundation for now.

The Maiden Edition of the Ibadan Chess League which held on Sunday, Feb 21^st was graced by the presence of Nigerian International Master- Odion Aikhoje who was around to Encourage and support the League. The League continues on the 6^th of March with more explosive fixtures.