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International Master Odion Aikhoje and other top chess masters in the country have continued to extol the virtues of Prince Albert Esiri, the sponsor of the first Ashtonwells Invitational chess tournament which was held at the Abraka Turf and Country Club, Abraka, Delta State.
Odion, World Chess Olympiad and All Africa Games gold medallist, who emerged the winner of the round robin competition and carted home a cash prize of N150, 000, said other sponsors of the brain game should emulate Ashtonwells organisers if they really want to develop chess.
"Ashtonwells tournament have changed my orientation to chess tournaments because I do not need to attend competitions in Europe and America before I can get the best out of such events.
"The general feeling is that it is only in the western world that tournaments are strictly organised in accordance with all the rules of the world chess body but Ashtonwells have erase such notion and have even taken a giant leap in the combination of chess with tourism.
"The visit to Ethoipe River was the high point of our three-day stay at the Abraka Turf and Country Club because it enabled us to appreciate nature sand it will take long time before the memories of our stay would be erased even as we look forward to another visit this time next year," Aikhoje explained.
Also see Bunmi Olape's, "Chess in Nigeria" featured at ChessBase.com.
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