The first Sadauna Ilorin National Open Chess Championship has commenced in Ilorin, with some of Nigeria’s leading male and female chess players competing for 1,000 dollar prize money.
The four-day tournament which began on Wednesday, will end on Saturday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the George Agbazika Innih Stadium, Ilorin.
The championship features classical and blitz chess competitions, with the overall winner in the Open category expected to receive a prize of 1,000 dollars.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Chairman of Kwara Sports Commission, Mallam Bolakale Mogaji, commended Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for providing facilities to support sports development in the state.
Mogaji also praised the tournament sponsor, the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area and Kwara State Chess Association Chairman, Femi Yusuf, for supporting the competition.
He said the championship was designed to discover and develop more chess talents at the grassroots level.
The Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee, Dr. Bode Durotoye, appreciated the players for their impressive turnout and pledged to organise a hitch-free competition.
themomentng reports that Nigeria’s number-one chess player, Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, who hails from Kwara, is among the leading players participating in the championship.
Other male competitors include Olisa Ewomazino and Eyetongham Callistus.
In the female category, Nigeria’s number-one female chess player, Sulyman Azumi Aishat, and current World Rapid Champion, Omoruyi Sandra are among the star attractions at the tournament.
The championship is expected to provide a platform for competitive chess, talent discovery and the promotion of the game across Kwara State and Nigeria.
