A four-man cohort from the University of Ibadan Chess Club travelled to Lagos to play in the seven-round South West Chess Tournament from the 11th to the 14th of July, 2024. The tournament was hosted at the serene Chevron Recreational Centre, Gbagada, and featured a robust lineup vying for the 2.5 Million prize fund, 18 of them rated over 2000, including six titled players. The UIMSA contingent consisted of the UIMSA trio: Oguntona Abraham, UI Chess Captain, Akporherhe Blessing, UI Chess Vice-Captain, and Okojie Simeon, UCH Chess Captain. In addition to these was outgone UI Chess Captain, Oziegbe Promise, the only member of the group battling for the master’s prize with his 2004 initial rating.
The tournament started strongly for Oziegbe and Akporherhe, with the pair claiming two wins on the first day, including some interesting scalps, Candidate Master Oyama was felled by Promise in the 2nd round, and Akporherhe defeated BKGC regular, Soliu Hassan. Okojie and Oguntona however ended the first day with only ½ out of 2, Oguntona was forced to take two byes following travel delays, and Okojie fell to eventual 4.5 finisher—Emah Udeme, after a second draw in as many meetings against Nigerian chess stalwart, Zlater. Day 2 was just as eventful, Oziegbe in a rough bit of luck was drawn against International Master Odion Aikhoje, and Nigeria’s only Olympiad Gold medalist was in fine form, converting against his young opponent in a positional battle. A hard-fought draw followed against Job Temidayo of UNILAG. Akporherhe on the other hand stormed past 2096-rated Edet Udeme before coming up short against veteran, Olanrewaju Abiola. Oguntona and Okojie respectively scored 1.5 and 2 points on the second day. Things came to a head on the third day of the tournament with fatigue and desperation starting to show. With money up for grabs, the UI Chess Captain struck hard against strong opposition, defeating 1996-rated Oyeneyin and 2047-rated Akinseye to climb up the standings. Oziegbe also claimed two vital wins versus experienced opposition to boost his chances. Okojie held an 80-move draw against a stubborn Ikuenomore before defeating 1961-rated Ananti with a knight sacrifice in the opening. Akporherhe had to settle for two draws on the third day, left dismayed by perceived dishonesty from his round 6 opponent, alleging that the player made a losing move before taking it back and lying to the arbiter when questioned. Things were finely poised going into the final day, Oguntona, Akporherhe, and Okojie tied on 4/6, and Oziegbe on 4.5. It was not to be, however, with Akporherhe only managing a final round draw after pressing on tirelessly in a two bishops versus rook endgame, it was the last game of the round to finish. Oguntona, Okojie, and Oziegbe all lost against members of the Nigerian Top 50.
Akporherhe on 4.5/7 finished in a nine-person tie for 3rd place in the Under-2000 category, serving to reflect the competitiveness of the event. 4/7 for Oguntona and Okojie was also enough for a share of the U-2000 prize fund, but Oziegbe, a 2024 NFOC U-2000 champion missed out on prize money thanks to his newfound 2000+ status. The women’s category of the event was won by WIM-elect Ofowino Toritsemuwa, ‘the man-beater’. Onuoha Obioma, a Youth Champion back in the late 1980s won the U-2000 category with a score of 5/7, asserting the dominance of the veterans at this tournament. The best veteran award indeed went to 63-year-old Oluwaseyitan Femi who finished with a super 5.5/7. Nigerian starlet, Toluwanimi Okemakinde, NUGA and NSTCC gold-medalist with UNILAG claimed the bronze medal in the Masters’ Category with 6/7. A long-time proponent of chess in schools, Olanrewaju Ajibola won silver in the Masters’ Category, also with 6/7. One man stood taller than the rest, UI graduate, IM Odion Aikhoje, gold medalist on the second board in the 33rd Chess Olympiad, Elista 1998, claimed the trophy and the N500,000 grand prize. In his acceptance speech, he charged the younger players to displace the veterans, and in doing so, propel Nigerian chess to greater heights. He also commended the progress made so far in Nigerian chess, with more players registered than ever before, and many emerging young talents. With the master set to host a 20-person simultaneous exhibition in partnership with Oyo State Chess Association and UI Chess Club on World Chess Day, July 20th, 2024, the youths can be assured of many opportunities to learn from Odirovski as he is fondly called.
Speaking to the Press after the event, UI Chess Captain, Oguntona Abraham was unwavering: It was a nice outing for our players, although the finish was anticlimactic. Going into the final round, all our players in the Opens Category were potential winners, so, despite the disappointing final performances, it was still very impressive. Regardless, one thing is clear—the players have really improved, and ‘Ibadan Boys’ are not to be taken lightly.
Okojie Osakwe Simeon