Young players compete in Abuja Chess Championship

At least 250 young players, over the weekend, competed in the Evolve 2.0 Children Chess Championship organised by the Royals Chess Academy (RCA) in Abuja.

Proprietor of RCA and convener of the championship, Johnson Enejison, said the competition aimed to foster unity among the children, instil critical life skills in them as well as create an avenue to deepen grassroots sports development and nurture future grandmasters to hoist Nigeria’s flag in international competitions.

He said, “Chess improves critical thinking, builds resilience and promotes discipline and focus in children from an early age.”

A chess coach, Uba Efe, while speaking with journalists, said teaching children the game is both challenging and rewarding.

“Sometimes they get distracted, but the joy lies in watching them develop problem-solving skills and confidence while engaging with their peers,” he said.

Some of the participants, Jayden Arosanyin, Osikwe Grace, Jemimah Ugwuocha and Somtochukwu Otolo, in separate interviews with Sporting Tribune, said chess has improved their academic performance, makes them do well in their examinations, teaches them to plan ahead and gives room for critical thinking and learning.

Sporting Tribune reports that the Championship drew participants from schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who competed in four age-based categories, namely U8, U10, U13 and U16.

Goodluck Agbara emerged as champions in the U16 category, carting home ₦30,000 prize money. Charles Oro and Pedro Odogwu won the U13 and the U10 with N25,000 and ₦20,000 prize money respectively, while Ojeaga Olumhense got ₦15,000 as winners of the U8 category.

The special recognition of Youngest Chess Talent went to Munachi Jason Emmanuel and was awarded ₦10,000.

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