Okhipo Bartholomew (2015) wins the South West Zonal Chess Championship over FM Kigigha Bomo (2238), Omoifo Osemekhian (2147), and IM Balogun Oluwafemi (2235). All the players carted home four hundred and eighty thousand naira (N480,000) each for their outstanding performance.
A climatic 4way tie finish at the just concluded South West National Championship held at Chevron Recreational Center, Gbagada Lagos with over one hundred and seventy players (170) who participated in a gruelling nine (9) rounds swiss chess tournament where the top male and female player gets a chance to qualify for the National Chess Championship Qualifier coming up later this year.
Some players though from the top 10 list came to play to also meet up with the criteria of 21 games to be eligible to secure a spot at the National Championship as listed in the criteria by the Nigeria Chess Federation.
Okhipo Bartholomew was indeed outstanding, suffering only one loss to IM Balogun Oluwafemi, a draw against Omoifo Osemekhian, defeated IM Odion Aikhoje (who played the Alekhine’s defense and entered a computer preparation), FM Bomo Kigigha and Okemakinde Toluwanimi at the last round to secure the first place and the cup!
The tournament was one of a kind with a superb organization by the South West Zonal representative and also Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation in person of Prince Adewole Adeyinka who made provision for chessboards and clocks for every table at the tournament.
The Chief Arbiter remarked at the closing ceremony that this would be the first tournament in over 20years of arbitration that would be hitch free and no headache whatsoever despite the number of players.
IM Odion Aikhoje (2219) won the veteran’s first prize has the highest finisher in the category. Suleiman Ayisha Azumi (1856) emerged the best female player with 6.5 points in this tough field. Izuogu Mickey (1922) and Alex Ayomide (1868) tied for the under 2000 first prize while the former took the trophy due to his edge in the tiebreaks.
Young sensation Ekunke Goodness (1891) got the best under 14 prize with a memorable win over CM Dieyi Roland (2135), Koko Obubele (2075), Othman Mustapha (2065) and holding IM Okeke Isaac (2153) to a draw in the last round. Abdulazeez Amidu got the best disabled prize of the event and also got more cash gifts from IA Amisu Omotayo, Mr. Lekan Adeyemi (FIDE Vice President), Mrs Ilesanmi (MD Nobleserve) to mention but a few.
The NCF President in person of DIG Sanni Mohammed, mni (rtd) with Arc. Theophilus Caiafas (former NCF Chairman), Mr. Lekan Adeyemi (FIDE Vice President), Mrs Ilesanmi (MD of Nobleserve Capital), IA Omotayo Amisu (Chartered Accountant also representing the Nigerian Chess Arbiter’s Association) and the CPAN president Amabipi Martins graced the closing ceremony.
A superb appreciation to the sponsors not limited to Omoroy Nigeria Ltd., Danhypro, Wildlife Farms, Bond Global Energy, Geometric Synergy Services, Nobleserve Capital, End to End Supply, Bluebulb Financials, Chevron Recreational Center Lagos, Alberville Luxury Suits, Smartfix Solution, Avalantine, Tosyne Heywai Farms, Mr. Ayo Oguntuase, Mr. Odafe Efemuai and Mr. Jide Ogunsanwo.
