NCF President Chess Cup Debuts

After several months of careful planning, the stage is set for the maiden edition of the Nigeria Chess Federation President Open Chess Cup which will come up in Warri, Delta State from 10th-13th of next month.

NCF boss, Mr. Lekan Adeyemi, disclosed over the weekend that the idea to organise the tournament stern on the determination of the present board of NCF to increase the level of playing opportunities for the numerous chess players in the country.

"I have conceived the idea of a tournament like this over the years and expectedly, our players no doubt expected a lot from me and it is my duty not to disappoint them," he remarked.

The seven-round Swiss event paring will hold at the Sylva Link hotel in Warri with a time control of 90 minutes for the first 40 moves and 30 more minutes to finish with additional 30 seconds after each move.

The winner of the Master section will take home N100, 000 and N50, 000, N25, 000, N15, 000 and N10, 000 respectively for other prize winners in the category.

In the Open/Female section, the overall winner takes home the sum of N50, 000. While the first runner up wins N30, 000 and N20, 000, N15, 000 and N10, 000 respectively for the remaining prize winners.

Adeyemi, the sole sponsor of the tournament also set aside brilliancy prizes of N15, 000 best female and N10,000 for male player.

He also explained that the breaking of tie will be in following order; Head-to-head, Buchholz and Sonneborn Berger. 

The manager of Sylva Link Hotel, Timothy Yonman whose multi purpose will housed the three-day tournament said the hotel is delighted to be identified with the Nigeria Chess Federation and they are already upgrading their facilities to provide a perfect environment for the competition.

"It's a unique partnership with the leadership of the chess body in the country. We are indeed looking forward to having the best chess players in the country coming over to our hotel and compete under the regulated atmosphere as recommended by the world chess body FIDE," he remarked.

Chess pundits see this development, as part of the right way to the chess development  in the country considering the fact that it's a major addition to several rated tournaments for the players organised by the Chess Federation and individual tournament organisers.