The President of Nigeria Chess Federation Mr. Lekan Adeyemi, the overall champion, Ochuko Emuakpeje and the Public Affairs Manager, Nigeria Breweries Plc, Mr. Thopmson Owoka during the formal presentation of the star prize last Sunday in Lagos.
Returnee and former national champion,
Ochuko Emuakpeje was the hero of the cerebral night, after he emerged top from the pool of top players at the just concluded 38th edition of Nigerian Breweries Plc International Open Chess Championship.
The nine-round Swiss event pairing, was held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos had the awaiting PH.D. holder in Public Administration at Nnamdi Azikwe University, go clear first with eight points. A position he last occupied five years ago.
The champion’s defining moment came to glare after his brilliant win over Edet Udeme in the third round and another massive win over ambitious Abimbola Osunfuyi in the next round placed him in a good position among the contenders before the half way mark.
Although he suffered a defeat to former champion, Bomo Kigigha in the fifth round, he secured perfect score in the remaining games and returned to the summit of Nigerian chess since 2010. “I have been out of chess for a while due to my academic work but the staggering N1m offered by Nigerian Breweries Plc was a motivating factor that brought me to Lagos to participate. I have never represented Nigeria at any major international competition (Chess Olympiad) but my victory today no doubt will be the turning point in my chess career,” Emuakpeje remarked after the presentation on Sunday.
Kigigha who did not lose any match but suffered many draw games placed second with 7.5 points and won for himself N500,000 while Daniel Anwuli was third with seven point to bag N250,000.
In other categories of play, Adejoh Joshua came top with seven points in the Open section and won for himself N250, 000 while Damilare Akinwamide was second with 6.5 points and won N100, 000.
It was three-way tie for third position with six points each by Tunde Onakoya, Joma Crim and Lolomari George.
In his closing remarks, the Public Affairs Manager, Nigeria Breweries Plc, Mr. Thompson Owoka, commended all the participants for their conduct during the event and urged them transform the lessons of chess skills in their human endeavor.
“Chess players are supposed to be discipline and academically oriented. This sponsorship sponsorship remains a key element of our several youth empowerment and talent development initiative. It is a further demonstration to our dedication to being a responsible corporate citizen committed to winning with Nigeria,” he stated.
Among the dignitaries at the closing ceremony are ; the Assistant Liason Officer, National Sports Commission (NSC), Mrs. Nkanna Mbora, the President of Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), Mr Lekan Adeyemi, the Communication/Public Affairs Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Patrick Olowokere and some stake holders in chess.
Aside the huge prize money at stake, chess players were delighted with the organisation of the five-day event as it was the first time ever that the Nigeria Chess Federation will make available chess boards for all participants.
The boards have been donated to the federation by the Kasparov Chess Foundation (KCF) early this year.
The gesture allowed free flow of the rounds in all the category of play. In all, total prize money of N3, 155,000 prized money were won in all the seven categories of play.
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