LEAGUE

71 ambitious teams, over 300 elite students and a full school year, September 2008 - May 2009; the Nigeria International Schools Chess League has for the 6th year running been the number 1 chess league in West Africa. That is not the intention of the organizers though; all they wish is to provide intellectually stimulating and character developing competition on a regular basis to school children whose minds are being groomed.

This last season has been the most competitive so far as some of the middle cadre schools in the league rose to challenge the established hegemony, in particular the dynastic rule of Chrisland College.

In the foreground is Vivian-Fowler Memorial College vs Chrisland College

There are actually 2 major categories to the league: Senior High Schools Section and Junior High Schools Section. As can be expected, the major heat is from the Senior High Schools Section but the Juniors are not drab at all.

Some juniors at play, with 2 instructors keeping close watch.

Amongst the Juniors, the biggest disappointment is Kings College a school with an outstanding chess history and culture having produced players like Oluwafemi Fasheyitan and more recently Chinedu Ofoegbu. This Kings College with over 30 years history of chess playing came 33rd in a 34 teams league.

On a different mission, Krystal-Bal has emerged as a super chess school. It has broken Chrisland college' stranglehold on the league and emerged the best Junior school. Prior to this, they were a middle table team and their success though likely to continue will not go on without the determined challenge of schools like Corona, Chrisland itself and now Bells, a school owned by Nigeria's former ruler, Olusegun Obasanjo.

An improved team; Bells college is wearing the yellow top.

There is a tendency in the league that a school that does well in the Junior Section also achieves similar result in the Senior. However, Nascent Krysyal-Bal that was leading the Senior section for much of the season lost unexpectedly under controversial circumstance to St. Finbarrs College on the final day causing Corona to overtake them and win the league officially. Chrisland came 3rd.

The unexpected turn of events caused heated debate amongst the contestant and it was decided that the top 4 teams of the league should play a Super Cup to determine the truly best team. So on July 11, 2009 at Corona Agbara, the top 4 schools met to decide the overall best and the result is as follows:

4th The Bells Int School, Ota.

3rd Corona Secondary School, Agbara

2nd Chrisland Secondary School, Idimu

1st Krystal-Bal Int School, Shogunle.

Below you will find 4 lists: The league table for the Junior High Schools Section, league table for the Senior High School Section, the best performing junior players and the best performing senior players. Plus lots of pictures and some relevant links.

Top 10 teams in the Junior High School Section

POSITION	POINTS	SCHOOLS	TEAM
1st	43.5	Krystal-Bal	A
2nd	33.5	Chrisland	A
3rd	31	Chrisland	B
4th	26.5	Krystal-Bal	B
5th	24.5	Vivian-Fowler	A
6th	22	Bells	A
7th	20	Corona	A
8th	18.5	Vivian-Fowler	B
8th	18.5	Cayley	A
8th	18.5	Dvy	A

Top 10 teams in the Senior High School Section

POSITION	POINTS	SCHOOLS	TEAM
1st	48	Corona	A
2nd	46	Krystal-Bal	A
3rd	39.5	Chrisland	A
4th	37.5	Chrisland	B
4th	37.5	Krystal-Bal	B
6th	30	Bells	A
7th	29.5	Vivian-Fowler	A
8th	26	Vivian-Fowler	B
9th	24.5	Aviceena	A
10th	21.5	Krystal-Bal	C

 Top Junior High School Section Players

Okolo Chiemeri   – Krysal-Bal Int. School, Shot. School, Shogunle.

Bashir Olatunji    -- Krysal-Bal Int. School, Shot. School, Shogunle.

Larinde Mayowa -- Krysal-Bal Int. School, Shot. School, Shogunle.

 Top Senior High School Section Players

Kunle Osibemekun – Aviceena Int. School

Azeez Oladimeji – Krystal-Bal Int. School

Sanni Yusuf – Krystal-Bal Int. School

David Ajibero – Chrisland College

Mohammed Ericson – Corona Secondary School, Agbara