Acheampong is Africa’s under-9 champ!

Francis Anquanah recently won the Ghanaian crown for the 7th time, but there is a future contender in Dave Chief Quansah Acheampong. The 8-year old recently won the African Online Chess Championship for the under-9 category. Taught by his father David Achempong at age four, he naturally gravitated toward chess in a nation where many boys are fantasizing about football.

Dave Chief Quansah Acheampong, Africa’s under-9 champion
Photo by David Acheampong

The family watched “Queen of Katwe” and the young Acheampong was inspired by the story of Uganda’s Phiona Mutesi. Dave also admires World Champion Magnus Carlsen and is seen on the following video flashing out moves in the Sicilian Defense. It appears there is a bright future in Ghana as West Africa will compete with regional power Nigeria in producing the first Grandmaster.

Dave started the competition with a win and then lost three straight. He then won five straight to edge out higher-seeds Mohammed Hossam Adham from Egypt and Rannveer Tak from South Africa with 6/9.

It came as a surprise to many in the Ghana Chess Association although Dave is believed to be a promising and talented young player. (link)

For winning the continental under-9, Dave gets sponsorship by African Chess Confederation to represent Africa in the World Schools Individual Chess Championships to be held in Halkidiki, Greece between May 2nd-11th. Young Dave seems to have the right moves! The father is seeking sponsorships.