Femi Solaja, "Akintola Wins Vmobile Chess Challenge,"  This Day, 22 September 2005 (Lagos, Nigeria)

International Master Fola Akintola, last weekend justified his stature as a force in Nigerian chess scene after a convincing win at the 1st Vmobile Chess Challenge held at the Union Bank Sport Club, Lagos.

Akintola, a veteran of several international tournaments, brushed aside all oppositions and emerged as the winner in the FIDE section of the 5-day competition and bagged the star prize of N500, 000 after securing seven points out of nine in the round robin system of play.
The former national coach of Nigeria deviated from his conventional passive style of play to a more aggressive kings openings, which was mostly adopted by most players in the section and was highly creative in the middle play.

Adebayo Adegboyega came second in the section and bagged a cash prize of N400, 000 and USA import, Adedapo Adu was third and received N300, 000 for his effort.

In the Masters' section, Allor Chuks came top with 8.5 points and received N300, 000 just as Femi Olape came second and received N200, 000 and Abiye Williams was next with N150, 000.

Woman International Master, Tobi Olatunji won the female category and bagged N110, 000 while Veteran star, Rosemary Amadasun followed with N75, 000 and in the Under 14 category, Akeem Edaigiawere, Abimbola Osunfuyi and Olalekan Eduwale were winners and received N40, 000, N30, 000 and N20, 000 respectively.

In his closing remark, Emeka Oparah, Vmobile corporate affairs manager, reinstated his company's commitment to the sponsorship of chess in the country and advised players to justify the company's investment in the game by being good ambassadors of the game within and outside the country.

"At Vmobile, the moment we commit ourselves to a project we always love to follow it to a logical conclusion. It is our wish that players will of the huge investment and develop themselves to leadership cadre tomorrow," he commented.

The prize monies of last weekend tournament were the highest in the history of chess in the country and over 600 participants from all states of the federation took part in the competition.

Report (standings)

The Chess Drum, "Nigeria to host VMobile  Ultimate Chess Challenge!," 26 August 2005.

Posted by The Chess Drum: 23 September 2005