University Of Ibadan Chess Ladder Games: April 2023 Edition

On April 1st, 2023, the UI chess ladder games for April were hosted at the Youth Friendly Centre (YFC). Participants included chess enthusiasts from various faculties and halls of residences within the university, such as students, alumni, and friends. The tournament began with five rounds of games, followed by a short break before the sixth and final round. Refreshments were provided during the break. The last round was just as thrilling as the previous ones, with unexpected upsets and intense battles of wits and stamina as players exchanged and captured pieces, maneuvered, and calculated variations.

The pairings and board order for all six rounds are detailed below

ROUND 1

Pairings/Results

Round 1

Bo.	No.		Name	Rtg	Pts.	Result	Pts.		Name	Rtg	No.
1	24		LAMBERLEINE, TOYIN	0	0	1 – 0	0		OYEDIRAN, ABIODUN	0	1
2	25		MICHAEL, PAUL	0	0	1 – 0	0		ADEBIMPE, ZAINAB	0	3
3	4		ADEDEJI, OLUWATOBI	0	0	1 – 0	0		MICHAEL, SILAS	0	26
4	5		ADELEKE-LEO, ADAM	0	0	0 – 1	0		MUFUTAU, WARIS	0	27
5	28		ODOOLA, FAWAZ	0	0	1 – 0	0		ADENIRAN, JOSEPH	0	6
6	7		AHMED, OLAWALE	0	0	1 – 0	0		OGUNBAYO, FUNMINIRE	0	31
7	8		AKINMOLAYAN, VICTOR	0	0	1 – 0	0		OGUNSEMORE, BUSAYO	0	33
8	34		OGUNTONA, ABRAHAM	0	0	1 – 0	0		AKINYEMI, DAVID	0	9
9	10		AKPORHERHE, BLESSING	0	0	1 – 0	0		OLADUNJOYE, AYOMIDE	0	35
10	37		OMOTUNDE, TOBILOBA SAMUEL	0	0	1 – 0	0		ANIETE, MARKSON	0	12
11	13		ATANDA, GBOLAHAN	0	0	½ – ½	0		OSUNKOYA, ABDUL-GANIYU	0	38
12	15		AYODELE, JULIUS	0	0	1 – 0	0		OYEKAN, JOHN	0	39
13	40		OYELAMI, EMMANUEL	0	0	1 – 0	0		AZEEZ, FAIZOL	0	16
14	17		DARAMOLA, AMANDA	0	0	0 – 1	0		OYEYEMI, AYOMIDE SOLOMON	0	41
15	42		OZEIGBE, PROMISE	0	0	1 – 0	0		DARAMOLA, MITCHELLE	0	18
16	43		SAMBO, JOSEPH	0	0	1 – 0	0		EYEFIA, ENDURANCE	0	19
17	20		IBRAHIM, MUSTAPHA	0	0	0 – 1	0		SAMBO, PIUS	0	44
18	21		IGBANA, RAYMOND	0	0	0 – 1	0		SOLIU, HASSAN	0	46
19	23		JOSEPH, EZE	0	0	1 – 0	0		SOLOMON, OLUWATODIMU	0	47
20	2		ADARALESIN, LIADI	0	0	1			not paired
21	11		ALAMU, KOLADE	0	0	1			not paired

ROUND 2, ROUND 3, ROUND 4, ROUND 5 and ROUND 6

After six rounds, the prize winners of the tournament were finally announced, but all players could take pride in the high quality of their chess skills and the enjoyable experience they had.

The closing ceremony was attended by notable supporters and patrons of the ladder games, including Mr. Iredele Ogunbayo (Chairman of the Oyo State Chess Association), Mr. Femi Babalola (Patron of the Oyo State Chess Association), Mr. Sheriff Daramola, Mr. Kehinde Olajide (Executive of the Oyo State Chess Association), Major Quadri Oluwaseun, and representatives from the Youth Friendly Centre (Mr. Akinremi and Mr. ChiChi), Mr. Ayanwale Tobi, and Mr. Tobi Tranz. Mr. Femi Babalola presented the prizes to the winners, and the Chairman of the Oyo State Chess Association, Mr. Iredele Ogunbayo, delivered the closing remark.

Here is the list of prize winners in the Female and Open categories for the April edition of the UI chess ladder games:

Female Category:

• 1st Position (3/6): Eyefia Endurance (#5,000)
• Joint 2nd (2/6): Agbola Tomisin (#2,500), Solomon Oluwatodimu (#2,500), Daramola Amanda (#2,500), Ogunbayo Damisire (#2,500)

Open Category:

• Joint 1st (5.5/6): Akporherhe Blessing (#7,000), Soliu Hassan (#7,000)
• Joint 3rd (5/6): Joseph Eze (#4,000), Mufutau Waris (#4,000), Promise Oziegbe (#4,000)
• Joint 6th (4.5/6): Lamber Toyin (#2,000), Oguntona Abraham (#2,000)
• Joint 8th (4/6): Oyeyemi Ayomide Solomon (#1,000), Oyelami Emmanuel (#1,000), Sambo Joseph (#1,000), Azeez Faizol (#1,000), Adeniran Joseph (#1,000), Ogbonna Henry (#1,000), Alamu Kolade (#1,000), Sambo Samson (#1,000)

During the closing ceremony, Mr. Iredele Ogunbayo expressed gratitude to the sponsors of the tournament, which included Mr. Femi Babalola, FM Fawole John, Dr. Seun Oliyide, Mr. Iredele Ogunbayo, Mr. Daramola Sheriff, Major Quadri Oluwaseun, Dr. Adedeji Victor, and Mr. Arowoshegbe Victor. He also commended the hardworking team led by the Coach of the UI Chess Club, Dr. Ariyo Oluwaseun, the coordinator of the UI Chess Club ladder games, Mr. Madueke Emeka, and the team of volunteers.

However, Mr. Ogunbayo condemned the behavior of some participants who did not take the tournament seriously or disappeared without notice. He ended his speech by thanking everyone who participated and contributed to the success of the event.

Overall, the April edition of the UI chess ladder games was a success, thanks to the support of generous sponsors and dedicated volunteers. The organizers look forward to the next edition.