Chess Set To Enter Final Stages … .As Rivers, Bayelsa Hope For Medals

In the next two days, Chess players at the ongoing 17th National Sports Festival would be entering their final stages.

As  at yesterday, the game had thinned down with few players heading for the classics and few blizz plays, while Bayelsa and Rivers players were on high points to win medals.

Specifically, one Maduagwuna Emmanuel from Rivers is leading with clear 21 points from six games followed by Bayelsa. Other states on perfect score include Kogi, Cross River, Akwa-Ikom, Kaduna, Edo, Ekiti and Abia, all in the male categories.

Tidesports reliably gathered that though the classical games have whittled down, the blizz plays would possibly end on Friday when the medals would finally be awarded.

Currently, Benue State from indications has a perfect score of its six games by one Ezekiel Sunday. This makes the state hopeful for a gold medal finally.

Tidesports was reliably informed that players on perfect scores are possibly going to play the finals for the gold medal since each state has eight regular boards.

The blizz games are rapidly timed plays, where players end their play within five minutes and is aimed at reducing the mental exertions often expended in classics by players.

A player told Tidesports that the blizz games would help reduce time consumption and reduce the bonuses enjoyed by participants earlier in the competition.