Dear Chess players,

I am proud to present you with the final details of the Vmobile Ultimate Chess Challenge:

The Vmobile Ultimate Chess Challenge was the biggest and best chess tournament that ever happened in Nigeria. The Tournament started on the 13th September, 2005 at the Union Bank Sports Complex at 41, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos. The games had to be delayed because of a special appeal by the sponsors that registration be extended to cater for the large number of players who could not register on time owing to reasonable logistic considerations.

A total number of 400 players participated in the 6-day challenge. The FIDE section had 10 players. Other categories of play included The Masters, Categories 1 & 2, The Ladies and Under 14.

The following players won in their categories.

FIDE:
1ST - AKINTOLA AFOLABI [N500,000]+ GOLD TROPHY
2ND - ADEBAYO ADEGBOYEGA [N400,000]
3RD - DAPO ADU [N300,000]

MASTERS:
1ST - ALLOR CHUKS [N300,000] + GOLD TROPHY
2ND - FEMI OLAPE [N200,000]
3RD - WILLIAMS ABIYE [N150,000]

CATEGORY 1:
1ST - EFEMUAI ODAFE [N200,000]+ TROPHY
2ND - ROJUOGBOKUN OLATUNJI [N150,000]
3RD - JEJE DEJI [N100,000]

CATEGORY 2:
1ST - OGBENE OMO [N100,000]
2ND - LADOKUN KOLAWOLE [N75,000]
3RD - UMOETOK UMOETOK [N50,000]

LADIES:
1ST - OLATUNJI OLUWATOBI [N110,000] + TROPHY
2ND - ROSEMARY AMADASUN [N75,000]
3RD - DZAAYEM VIVIAN [N50,000]

UNDER 14:
1ST - KINGSLEY EZEANI [N40,000] + TROPHY
2ND - AKEEM EDOIGIAWERIE [N30,000]
3RD - EDUNWALE OLALEKAN [N20,000PM]

The Chief Arbiter, Eugene Akhiwu and his team of Arbiters gave a very good account of themselves. To underscore the importance of this tournament, the President of the Nigerian Chess Federation graciously accepted to serve as Tournament Director for the event. The tournament received unprecedented press coverage. Vmobile has changed the face of chess in Nigeria for good. We are definitely delighted to have been associated with the organisation of this tournament.

A major highlight of the tournament was the public announcement by Vmobile representatives at the event that the Challenge would be an indefinite annual event. Consequently, we expect a larger turnout next year.

Chief Victor Iyanam
President, Ultimate Chess
Organisers of the Vmobile Ultimate Chess Challenge

 

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