Players Promise To Excel At NB Chess Opens

Some Lagos-based chess players have promised to excel at the 35th Nigerian Breweries Chess Open Tournament which starts today in Lagos.

The players told The Tidesports in separate interviews, that they had prepared well for the championships, slated for the Indoor Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Some of the players were seen at the media centre, National Stadium, putting finishing touches to their game.

Bunmi Olape, Fide Master and defending champion, said he was determined and ready to defend his title.

“I just came back from a competition in Abuja early in the month and it has further prepared me for the July competition,” he said.

Olape said the increase in the star prize from N890,000 to N1.57 million, would further motivate him to excel at the competition.

“The star prize is a morale booster,” the player said.

Charles Campbell, another Fide Master, said he had intensified his training, and was waiting for the edition to show off his talent.

“I didn’t perform well to my best in the last edition, but I have improved on my game. At the July championships, I am sure that I’ll go all the way, to win the title.

Adeboyega Adebayo, who plays in the master’s category, said he was ready for the competition.

“I am done with the training sessions and ready for the championship. I have learnt from my mistakes in the last edition.’’

A Fide Master, Nsisong Bassey, who has maintained her unbeaten run, was optimistic of a good outing at the event.

“I am ready for another race, and I hope in God that I will make it”.

Another player in the female category, Vivian Dzaayem, said: ‘I really hope that my presence would be felt in this year’s edition, as I’ll prove my worth on the courts.

“I was out of the last competition early, and I was not happy that I did; I almost felt as if I did not participate in the tournament.”