9-year-old chess prodigy, Nwankwo targets `Grandmaster' status

Posted : 06 October 2023

A 9-year-old chess prodigy, Michelle Nwankwo has restated her lofty dreams of attaining a Grandmaster status in the game of chess.

Nwankwo revealed her lofty dreams in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the 2023 National Chess Championships ongoing at Orchids Hotel, Lekki.

The Nigeria National Chess Championship (NCC) is the biggest and most important chess event in Nigeria.

The competition produces the Nigeria National Chess Champion and the Nigeria National Women’s Chess Champion.

The Grandmaster (GM) is a title that is being awarded to chess players by the world chess organization FIDE.

Apart from World Champion, Grandmaster is the highest title a chess player can attain. Once achieved, the title is held for life, though exceptionally the title can be revoked for cheating.

Young Nwankwo who emerged as a gold and silver medalist in team event of chess at the just-concluded 7th National Youths Game (NYG) in Asaba, Delta state representing Team Edo said she desired a higher standard for herself in the game.

Nwankwo who brilliantly expressed her love for the game of chess restated that she was passionate about the prospect of becoming the chess Grandmaster which only has a place for 2000 players all over the world.

``I have been playing chess for about three years now after I was introduced to the game when I was five.

``I immediately loved the game because at first, it was fun and later, I found the competitive part of it which makes it more interesting.

``I have an experienced coach who guides me a lot from the rudiments till now and I have participated in about 10 competitions.

``The last competition I attended was the NYG where I had the opportunity to meet other players, although it was tough, but I was able to get gold and silver medals in team event, representing Edo State,'' she said.

Nwankwo added: ``I have my dreams to be a Chess Grandmaster from Nigeria although I was told that no Nigerian has been able to become one.

``I will continue to train very well because my parents always support me in the sport as well," she said.

The 2023 National Chess Championships is ongoing at Orchids Hotel in Lekki where 24 players are battling for the top spot of becoming a national champions.

The National Chess Championships have over three years now unveiled young talents and provided hints on the future possibilities of chess in Nigeria.

The ongoing 2023 edition of the Nigeria National Chess Championship started on Oct. 2 and is expected to end Oct. 9, at Orchid Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

The championship is featuring an Elite Invitational Section where 24 of the best chess players in Nigeria are competing for the Nigeria National Chess Champion and Nigeria National Women’s Chess Champion titles.

The winners of the 2023 edition are expected to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Africa Individual Chess Championship (AICC).

The 24 players in the section all went through a rigorous selection and qualification process which includes a Nigeria National Chess Championship Qualifiers Tournament, to be able to compete in the final stage.

Nigeria National Chess Championship 2023 also included an Open Section that accommodated players in every category, including beginners and masters.

Rank and file players and any member of the public who have registered to participate in the Open Section were also allowed to test their mettle against other players of their playing strength.

The Open Section which started on Saturday has produced vibrant Junior Category in the U-20, U-14, and U-10 players.

Hundreds of school children have been participating in this category at the ongoing tournament in Orchids Hotel Lekki.

9-year-old chess prodigy, Nwankwo targets `Grandmaster' status

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