Bayelsa State Chess Association

🇳🇬 Nigeria’s 14-year-old Ekunke Odey Goodness wins FIDE World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship 2026 🏆

✨ History was made in Abuja as Nigeria’s 14-year-old Ekunke Odey Goodness emerged as the inaugural champion of the FIDE World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship 2026, scoring an impressive 9/11.

♟️ The young Nigerian produced a remarkable performance against a strong field to claim the historic title, finishing ahead of two experienced compatriots, FM Eugene Ekpoikong Unwana and FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha, who were second and third, respectively, with 8½ points each.

🔸 The championship, organised by FIDE and the Nigeria Chess Federation in Abuja, was played over 11 rounds with the time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment.

🌐 Read more: https://www.fide.com/nigerias-14-year-old-ekunke-odey-goodness-wins-fide-world-amateur-rapid-chess-championship-2026/

📷 Nigeria Chess Federation

Happy birthday Mrs Rita Bolou Resident. Thank you for your dedication and hardwork. We appreciate all you do for the growth of chess in Bayelsa State.
From the Chess family

We are grateful Sir

It's a month of celebration and a month of CHESS. Don't just sit at home, be a part of this. A line up of events to make this August delicious!

- Bayelsa monthly rapid Chess tournament, Tuesday 12th AUG 2025 (the celebration of our dear father's retirement Sir Braveman Wodi)
- Need for Speed? - Bayelsa Blitz marathon (more details to come) 16th Aug 2025
- Bayelsa 12man invitational classical tournament , 19th to 22nd Aug 2025 ( few slots remaining)
All our events will be FIDE RATED and it's a huge opportunity to up your game. This is Bayelsa State,. We breathe chess!!!

Gens Una Sumus

Bayelsa State NSF Trials: Stage 1 Heats Up!

With only two rounds left to conclude Stage 1 of the National Sports Festival (NSF) trials, the competition is reaching a boiling point! Veteran master Asingbi Douye remains unstoppable, leading the pack with a perfect 5/5 score.

However, a surprising challenger has emerged to shake up the rankings. Nine-year-old prodigy Bayefa Oyeinkeperemo of C4 Chess Academy is hot on Douye's heels, boasting an impressive 4/5 record. His sole loss came at the hands of the veteran master himself.

The suspense is palpable as the top-seeded players eagerly await the revelation of the top 5 players who will advance to the next stage. Who will make the cut?

Will Douye maintain his dominance, or will Oyeinkeperemo's youthful energy propel him to the top? The next two rounds will be crucial in determining the fate of these chess masters.

Stay tuned for more updates from the Bayelsa state NSF trials!

Have you registered?
It's gonna be a thriller this Saturday as all eyes will be on 13yr old Ekunke Goodness to make it a back-to-back win.

Check out our performance at national team events in the last three years:
1. National under 15 youth games 2022 Kwara State, Illorin - 6 Gold medals
2. National sports festival, Delta State Asaba 2022 - 5 Gold medals
National youth games 2023, Delta State, Asaba- 5 Gold medals
3. National youth games 2024, Delta State, Asaba - 5 Gold medals

In addition, Bayelsa state brags having both male and female reigning national champions.
Indeed, big dreams do come true in small places.