Nigerian International Schools Chess Championship League

As they say; ‘What goes around comes around’. Although a bit out of context, but the Nigerian International Schools League has in reality come around once again. Our dear readers will recall that ChessHeights was at the final weekend of the last league season at Chrisland College, Idimu, and that a comprehensive report of the final day was posted on the site. This time around we were on ground to cover the second weekend of the event. It is important to note that the event is now gaining widespread popularity amongst the international schools within the Lagos environ, and that more schools are beginning to participate. We therefore encourage schools and individuals that want to be part of the event, or that want to be part of the fun this young men and women enjoy, to be at the venue of the next league games. As at the time of filing in this report, the venue for the next round of league games has not been made public, but the date has (8th of December, 2007). Lagos Preparatory School (LPS), at No. 12, Bayo Kuku Street, Ikoyi played host to this weekends league games.

Nigerian International Schools Chess Championship League

The school; which has a perfectly conducive learning environment, as part of their ‘Fun Day’ incorporated this event into their list of activities by accepting to play host, thereby creating a more fun filled atmosphere on the day.

Cross section of the students (Vivian Fowler students on orange) awaiting the 2nd round of matches for the day

In participation were schools like Atlantic Hall, BIS, Chrisland, Corona, D’Ivie, Dowen, Grange, Holy Child, King’s College, Kristal Ball, Lagooze School, Mount Olivet, Nigerian-Turkish, Queen’s College, T. Grade, and Vivian Fowler. Though not all these schools were on ground, but the attendance was quite substantial. Some of them came with two teams (Team A&B i.e. Senior and Junior). The senior and junior teams also had teams A&B. Each of the school teams were accompanied by their coaches. Prominent amongst them are experienced Nigerian masters like Mr. Edunwale King, Mr. Ajibola Olanrewaju, and Mr. Charles Campbell. ‘Jibola Olanrewaju was an invitee to the pre-all African games training camp in Kaduna this year. Also in attendance were some school officials, prominent of which was Mr. Pope (Proprietor of Grange Schools, Ikeja).

The top players of last season (see report on last season’s finals) were on ground to do battle again this season.Just back from the Lagos State Sports Festival (see report) were players like Muomah Irah (silver medal), Mamoud Yusuf (bronze medal), Shadare Tobi, Akinpelu Akintola; all students of King’s College Lagos. The current national Under-14 champion; Tobi Edunwale was also present. As you may have already figured out, he is son to Coach Edunwale King. Little wonder he’s champion!

Nigerian Under-14 Champion; Lekan Edunwale


Akintola Akinpelu


Aminat of Queen's College, Lagos





The audience


The battle of the titans- Grange vs Chrisland (Round 2­)


'What a man can do, a woman can do better'. Don’t mind the mate in one on board three. Holy Child junior girls slugging it out!

The games were very well fought, though not without a fool’s mate or two. While awaiting the second round for the day, I made a new friend (one of the students from Nigerian-Turkish International School) who asked me if I could play a couple of games with him. Unfortunately, I can’t recall the young man’s name, but our meeting ended up in a form of lecture. It started as a game, but on my third move he asked a question! I was inspired by his curiosity and enthusiasm, so I began to explain certain chess principles to him which were a bit above his level. I thank God I was able to make him see how interesting chess could be at a certain level. It was not long before others joined us and we all had a good time; especially me. Some other student asked me; ‘What do you like about playing chess?’ Again to the glory of God, I was able to answer to her satisfaction. ‘The competition’, I said. A different student asked me later on if it was worth playing chess financially. I told him to some extent it was worth it and that to some extent it wasn’t worth it, but that most importantly is his academics. Though I wish I get another opportunity to enlighten him the more, because I believe the issue he raised is more complex than my reply. It’s important for us ‘senior’ chess players to be around these youngsters, to help them answer their numerous questions about chess and most especially how it relates to life. Due to the fact that some of them are beginning to see themselves as going pro in the future, they need a whole lot of counseling on how to go about it. We have been there! Some of us have made mistakes, while some of us have made the best use of it.

At the end of the two rounds of the weekend (5th round of the League) the top players were;

SENIORS

Ojiaku Uraile (Vivian Fowler) -5points

Chiazo Elu (Chrisland) -5points

JUNIORS

Shadare Tobi (King’s College) –5points

David Ogbedobo (Chrisland) -5points

Qudus Oyefoso (Chrisland) -5points

Chidinma Mbanefo (Vivian Fowler) -5points

Tobi Shadare 5/5pt


David Ogbedobo 5/5pts

The team standings are as follows:

SENIORS

Chrisland A -14.5pts

Chrisland B -19pts

Atlantic Hall A -2pts

Atlantic Hall B -2pts

Vivian Fowler A -18.5pts

Vivian Fowler B -12pts

Nigeria-Turkey -10pts

Grange -11.5pts

Dowen -2pts

Holy Child A -4pts

Holy Child B -13pts

King’s College -4.5pts

Corona A -14pts

Corona B -15.5pts

British International -2pts

T. Grade -2pts

D’Ivie -2pts

Kristal Ball -5pts

Queen’s College A -13pts

Queen’s College B -7.5pts

Mount Olivet -2pts

Lagooze -1pts

 

JUNIORS

Chrisland A -18pts

Chrisland B -15pts

Atlantic Hall A -2pts

Atlantic Hall B -2pts

Vivian Fowler A -15pts

Vivian Fowler B -8pts

Nigeria-Turkey A -11pts