Ladies and gentlemen, chess enthusiasts and casual observers who thought chess was just “that boring game with the horsey pieces”, welcome to THE EL- CLASSICO! The Invitational Section of The National Chess Championships 2025 is HERE, and we are about to witness 12 of Nigeria’s absolute FINEST minds go to war on 64 squares, in what promises to be the most ELECTRIFYING intellectual combat the nation has to offer!
Forget everything you thought you knew about chess tournaments. This isn’t just a competition, it’s a COLLISION OF TITANS! We’ve got an Olympic gold medalist, teenage prodigies, four-time champions, players who have faced Magnus Carlsen himself, and enough raw talent to make a grandmaster sweat. Buckle up!
THE GLADIATORS ENTER THE ARENA
FM Abdulrahman Abdulraheem Akintoye (Rating: 2317) – “The West African Conqueror aka Madness has arrived”
Leading our starting rankings with the HIGHEST rating in the field is FM Abdulrahman Abdulraheem Akintoye at 2317, and this man is HUNGRY! In 2024, he tied for first place at the NCC with 7.5/11, only to lose in a heartbreaking tiebreak to a 17-year-old (we’ll get to THAT story). Think of him as the straight-A student who came in second on a technicality and has spent the entire year FUMING about it!
Championship Pedigree:
- 2024 West African Chess Champion (8/9 points) – DOMINATED the field!
- 2024 NCC Runner-up (tied 1st, lost tiebreak to teenage sensation)
- 2023: 3rd place
- 2022: 2nd place
- This man has been knocking on the championship door for YEARS, collecting silver medals like Pokemon cards!
Why He’s DANGEROUS:
At 2317, he’s got the highest rating, the recent West African championship under his belt, and the fire of someone who’s done with being “almost champion.” He’s got REVENGE written all over his face, and in 2025, he is not here to participate, he’s here to DOMINATE!
IM Odion Aikhoje (Rating: 2280) – “The Living Legend – Olympiad Gold Medallist, The Great Odirov!”
HOLD THE PHONE! This man right here is a NIGERIAN CHESS ROYALTY! With an International Master title that’s basically a PhD in chess destruction, IM Odion “Odirov” Aikhoje walks into this tournament as one of the most DECORATED players Nigeria has EVER produced!
LEGENDARY Achievements:
- 1998 Chess Olympiad GOLD MEDALIST! (Only the 2nd African EVER to win Olympiad gold!)
- Won INDIVIDUAL GOLD at the 2003 African Games
- Won ANOTHER GOLD at the 2007 African Games
- Three-time National Chess Champion (1996, 1997, 2001)
- Peak rating of 2341 in 1999—one of the highest in Nigerian history!
- Recognized as one of Nigeria’s 60 Sports Icons (2020)
- Players’ Representative on the Nigeria Chess Federation board (2021-2025)
- Online BEAST (not online warrior please😜😝): Peaked 2600+ on Lichess ratings!
The Gold Medal Saga: Fun fact – Odion did not receive his 1998 Olympiad gold medal until 2022 (24 YEARS later!) due to bureaucratic chaos. When FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich finally presented it to him, he noted that only ONE other African had achieved this feat since Aikhoje made history! LEGEND STATUS CONFIRMED!
Why He’s DANGEROUS:
IM titles aren’t decorative, they are EARNED through blood, sweat, and tactical brilliance! At 54 years old, this man is STILL active, STILL sharp, and has more championship experience than most players have tournament games! When a legend enters the arena, you bow (but will they?)!
Tennyson Ewomazino Olisa (Rating: 2279) – “The Rising Superstar! aka Boy Tenny”, well named by yours truly!
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the player who just put NIGERIA on the map at one of chess’ most elite events! At just 22 years old, Tennyson Olisa is EXPLODING onto the international scene!
2025: THE YEAR OLISA WENT SUPERNOVA:
- April 2025: Won SILVER MEDAL at The Zone 4.2 West Africa Championship
- April 2025: Won the Africa Super Zonal Chess Championship (7.5/9) – became “Champion of Champions” in Africa!
- May 2025: Won double gold medals at The National Sports Festival Chess Event!
- September 2025: Became the FIRST NIGERIAN EVER to qualify for the FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament!
- Competed at the Grand Swiss in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, facing off against eleven (11) GRANDMASTERS!
- 2023 John Fawole Chess Award: Junior Player of the Year
- Also won GOLD medals at the National Youth Games!
The Backstory: Born in Warri, Delta State, Tennyson represents a new generation of Nigerian chess, educated, tech-savvy, and internationally competitive. At 2279, he’s just ONE point behind IM Odion, which means on any given day, he can take down ANYONE in this field!
Why He’s DANGEROUS:
This man is riding a WAVE of international success! He’s competed at the Grand Swiss, held draws against Grandmasters, and proved he belongs on the world stage. When someone’s confidence is THIS high, rating points become secondary. Don’t sleep on the rising star!
FM Denvefa Callistus Eyetonghan (Rating: 2273) – “The West African Silver Medalist aka King Kali”
Another FIDE Master in the house! Rated 2273, FM Callistus Eyetonghan brings championship experience and a medal collection that speaks for itself!
Achievements:
- 2024 West African Chess Championship: BRONZE MEDAL (7 points)
- Consistently performing at high-level tournaments across West Africa
- 2021 Africa Junior Chess Championship: SILVER MEDAL
- FM title = proven ability to compete with the best
Why He’s DANGEROUS:
In a field this competitive, an FM with recent international success is NEVER to be underestimated! King Kali has the skills, the experience, and the tactical sharpness to upset anyone’s championship dreams!
FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha (Rating: 2259) – “Mr. 1.c4! – The FOUR-TIME Champion & Master Coach!”
Oh, you thought we’d casually mention Nigeria’s multi-national chess champion and move on? THINK AGAIN! Bomo Kigigha isn’t just a former champion, he has won the title FOUR TIMES! That’s right, FOUR (4)! While most players dream of winning once, Bomo has turned the National Championship into his personal trophy collection!
CHAMPIONSHIP DOMINANCE:
- FOUR-TIME National Chess Champion!
- SEVEN-TIME Chess Olympiad representative (2008-2024!)
- At the 2024 Budapest Olympiad: 5.5/8 on Board 1 against IMs and FMs!
- Currently Nigeria’s #1 RATED BLITZ PLAYER*
- #4 in Rapid Chess
- #5 in Classical Chess
- Peak rating of 2363 in 2016 (among Nigeria’s highest EVER!)
- Head Coach of Bayelsa State – mentored National Female Champion Deborah Quickpen and rising star Goodness Ekunke!
- GOLD MEDALS GALORE: 1998, 2018 (x2), 2020 (x2), 2022 (x2) at National Sports Festivals!
The 1.c4 Legend: Bomo almost exclusively plays the English Opening (1. c4) as White, it’s literally synonymous with his name in Nigerian chess! Though he shocked everyone at the 2024 Olympiad by experimenting with 1.d4 and 1.e4, proving he can STILL evolve!
The Family Rivalry: Bomo’s older brother Inimo claims to be his “bête noire” and insists the head-to-head scores favor him! Classic sibling rivalry on 64 squares! 😆
Why He’s DANGEROUS:
FOUR-TIME champions don’t just show up to participate, they show up to reclaim what they consider THEIRS! At 2259, he might not be the highest-rated, but when you’ve got championship DNA running through your veins and you are coaching the next generation, you KNOW how to win when it matters most!
FM Abiola Daniel Akinseye (Rating: 2238) – “The Positional Assassin aka Morpheus”
Yet another FIDE Master! At 2238, FM Akinseye brings the credentials and tactical firepower that make him a legitimate threat to anyone’s title hopes!
Why He’s DANGEROUS:
Three letters F-M! That FIDE Master title means he’s earned his stripes against top competition. In a field this tight, tactical sharpness can overcome rating differences, and Akinseye has both!
Bartholomew Emmanuel Okhipo (Rating: 2216) – “Master Muzan aka The King in the North! – The Man ON FIRE!”
Meet “Master Muzan” (his chess alter ego)—and the player who’s entering this tournament on the HOTTEST winning streak imaginable! This 28-year-old gem from Edo State is absolutely UNSTOPPABLE right now!
RECENT DOMINATION:
- December 2024: Won the 2024 Nigeria National Chess Championship Masters Section – 8.5/9!
- January 2025: IMMEDIATELY followed up by winning the Chess Heights Abuja Tournament with a PERFECT 7/7 score! (No draws! No losses! Just WINS)
- NCC Qualifier 2025: CHAMPION
- Back-to-back tournament victories = PEAK MOMENTUM!
The Journey:
Okhipo learned chess around 2010 but didn’t get serious until 2014 while at university. Like many students from modest backgrounds, he saw chess as a way to earn income and dedicated himself to mastering the game. That dedication? PAYING OFF BIG TIME!
Why He’s DANGEROUS:
This man is riding a TIDAL WAVE of confidence! He won the Masters championship in December 2024, then immediately CRUSHED another tournament with a perfect score in January 2025! When someone’s in this kind of form, ratings become meaningless, and momentum is EVERYTHING! Master Muzan is here to prove December wasn’t a fluke!
Odey Goodness Ekunke (Rating: 2195) – “Boss Baby – The Teenage Phenom!”
Remember when you were 14? You were probably worried about homework and video games. Goodness Ekunke was busy working towards becoming a NATIONAL CHAMPION and earning the nickname “Boss Baby” for defeating opponents MUCH older than him!
PRODIGY TIMELINE:
- Age 8: Became Nigeria’s U-14 Chess Champion!
- Age 10: Nigeria’s highest-ranked U-10 player AND 9th best U-10 player IN THE WORLD!
- 2021: Won GOLD at the African Youth Chess Championship!
- 2024 (Age 14): Won the U20 National Championship while going UNBEATEN (4 wins, 2 draws)!
- 28 MEDALS (25 gold, 3 silver) since starting chess!
- Student of legendary coach FM Bomo Kigigha!
The Origin Story:
Goodness’s father taught him chess ONCE. Just ONCE! The next evening, young Goodness challenged his dad to a game and CHECKMATED him, then declared “I will become a grandmaster someday!” His father replied, “Yes, you will.” PROPHETIC! (palmy talk surely😜)
Why He’s DANGEROUS:
This 14-year-old prodigy has been dismantling opponents since he was in elementary school! Trained by four-time champion Kigigha and armed with youthful fearlessness, Ekunke represents the FUTURE of Nigerian chess. At 2195, he’s one of the lowest-rated in the invitational, but remember—he’s UNDEFEATED in his age category and has been collecting gold medals like they’re going out of style! Never bet against a prodigy with a point to prove!
IM Oluwafemi Daniel Balogun (Rating: 2194) – “The Great Warrior”
An International Master rated 2194? Don’t let the current rating fool you, this man’s resume will make your jaw DROP!
HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED:
Balogun is the FIRST AFRICAN to face off against a reigning World Chess Champion, when he battled the LEGENDARY Magnus Carlsen himself! Let that sink in! While most of us are scared to play our club president (the legendary GM K!😋), this man went hand-to-hand with the GOAT of chess!
CHAMPIONSHIP DOMINANCE:
- 2017: Won the African Zone 4.4 (Now 4.2) Individual Championship→ earned his IM title!
- 2021: Crowned *Nigeria’s National Chess Champion!
- Multiple Chess Olympiad participant (Istanbul 2012, Tromsø 2014, and more!)
- Won National Award from Ministry of Sports as most outstanding athlete in chess (2017)
- Currently highest-rated Nigerian in Rapid, 3rd highest rated in Blitz AND 9th in standard time control!
Why He’s DANGEROUS:
Ratings fluctuate, but CLASS IS PERMANENT! This man has beaten international masters, faced a WORLD CHAMPION, won national titles, and represented Nigeria on the global stage for over a decade! The 2021 National Championship isn’t ancient history, he KNOWS what it takes to win when everything is on the line! When a former champion with an IM title enters the arena, you ignore him at your OWN PERIL!
Tersee Ferdinand Nyuima (Rating: 2188) – “THE TEACHER! – Defending Champion!”
Save the best story for… well, right here! Meet the 17-year-old DEFENDING CHAMPION who shocked the ENTIRE chess community in 2024 by becoming the YOUNGEST NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPION NIGERIA HAS EVER PRODUCED!
THE 2024 CHAMPIONSHIP STORY:
In Round 10, Tersee was battling FM Abdulraheem (our top seed!) with both players on 6.5/10. Tersee had a DRAWN position but made a critical error, giving Abdulraheem a winning endgame. Tersee spent 14 minutes desperately trying to save the game—to no avail! He lost!
But then came Round 11, the FINAL round. Too many things had to align for Tersee to become champion:
- IM Balogun (also on 6.5) had to lose ✅ HE LOST!
- FM Abdulraheem (leading with 7/10) had to draw ✅ HE DREW!
- Tersee had to WIN his seemingly-drawn game ✅ HE WON!
TIEBREAK DRAMA:
Tersee and Abdulraheem tied at 7.5/11, setting up a PLAYOFF! Despite losing their head-to-head match during the tournament, Tersee DEFEATED Abdulraheem in the tiebreak to become champion! At 17 years old, from Benue State, he made HISTORY!
The Journey:
- Started 2024 with TWO goals: qualify for NCC and win it
- Lost games to lower-rated juniors at DahnyPro—seemed impossible to qualify
- Qualified anyway!
- Coach wouldn’t let him play blitz to develop classical skills—paid off HUGE in the playoff!
Why He’s DANGEROUS:
Teenage fearlessness + defending champion status + PROVEN ability to win under MAXIMUM pressure = a NIGHTMARE for anyone who underestimates him! Tersee has NOTHING to lose and EVERYTHING to prove! He’s already the youngest champion in history—now he wants to become a TWO-TIME champion at 18! The psychological warfare of being the reigning champ is REAL!
Ajibola Olanrewaju (Rating: 2179) – “Papajio – The Veteran Gladiator!”
Don’t let the “second-lowest rating” fool you, Ajibola “Papajio” Olanrewaju is a VETERAN warrior with a resume that commands RESPECT!
CHAMPIONSHIP CREDENTIALS:
- Chess Olympiad Representative (39th Olympiad – Board 2)
- March 2020: Won the Zone 4.2 Individual Open Chess Championship with 8.5/9 points (only ONE draw!)
- TRIPLE CROWN: Also won the BLITZ section (9/9 PERFECT SCORE!) AND the RAPID section at the same event!
- Qualified for Chess World Cup 2021!
- NCC Qualifiers 2025: JOINT FIRST
Why He’s DANGEROUS:
This man is a PROVEN CHAMPION who’s won everything, classical, rapid, AND blitz, all in the same tournament! He’s got the experience of a thousand battles and the tactical sharpness that comes with decades of high-level play! In Swiss tournaments, hot starts can change EVERYTHING, and Papa knows how to capitalize!
Lucky Musa Keyi (Rating: 2082) – “The Underdog With Heart!”
At 2082, Lucky Musa Keyi is rated nearly 100 points below the next-lowest player and 235 points below the top seed. The math is BRUTAL. But here’s the thing…
THIS MAN EARNED HIS SPOT IN THE INVITATIONAL SECTION OF THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!
You don’t get here by accident! You don’t get invited to sit at the table with four-time champions, Olympic gold medalists, and teenage prodigies unless you’ve EARNED IT! While the scoreboard might not be kind, Keyi is already a WINNER just for being here!
Respect Factor:
Last place among champions beats first place among amateurs EVERY SINGLE TIME! Most chess players in Nigeria would KILL to be in Lucky’s position, competing at the highest level against the absolute BEST the nation has to offer! That takes COURAGE!
Why He’s Still Dangerous:
In chess, ANYTHING can happen! One brilliant game, one critical upset, and suddenly the narrative changes! Plus, when you’re the underdog with nothing to lose, you can play with FREEDOM that favorites can only dream about!
THE BOLD, UNHINGED, POSSIBLY-WRONG-BUT-DEFINITELY-ENTERTAINING PREDICTIONS!
My mate, Dapo Odugbesan aka Karmadus aka Baba Yemi has upped the ante offering a sumptuous prize to anyone who predicts the winner and last place for this event, and yours truly certainly has an eye on that cash guys! so here I go!
YOUR 2025 NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPION WILL BE…
FM Abdulrahman Abdulraheem Akintoye!
Listen, the stars are ALIGNED for this man! He’s got:
- Highest rating in the field (2317)
- Recent West African Championship victory (2024/2025)
- Three years of heartbreak fueling his fire (2nd in 2022, 3rd in 2023, tied 1st but lost tiebreak in 2024)
- The hunger of someone who’s DONE with silver medals!
This is Michael Jordan with something to prove, Rocky Balboa in the final round, the chess player who’s done the math and realized second place doesn’t cut it anymore! His experience, rating advantage, and sheer NEED to finally claim that crown make him the favorite!
Runner-Up Battle Royale:
- IM Odion Aikhoje (2280) – That IM title + Olympic gold + championship experience = DANGEROUS!
- Tennyson Olisa (2279) – Fresh off Grand Swiss, Africa Super Zonal champion, riding INTERNATIONAL momentum!
- “Master Muzan” Okhipo (2216) – Coming off back-to-back tournament wins in December + January!
Expect Abdulraheem vs. one of these three in a CRITICAL late-round showdown that determines the champion!
CHAOS FACTOR – Dark Horse Alert:
- FOUR-TIME champion Kigigha (Mr. 1.c4 himself!) could add a 5th title!
- “The Great Warrior” Balogun (2021 champion) has faced a world champion—this field doesn’t scare him!
- Teenage DEFENDING CHAMPION Nyuima has PROVEN he can win when everything’s on the line!
Any of these three could absolutely STEAL this tournament and remind everyone why legends never fade!
AND IN LAST PLACE (BUT STILL A CHAMPION FOR BEING HERE)…
Lucky Musa Keyi
We are calling it like we see it. At 2082, nearly 100 points below the next player and 235 points below the top seed, the math is unforgiving. In a 12-player field where everyone else is 2179+, the rating gap is SIGNIFICANT.
BUT HERE’S WHAT MATTERS:
Keyi is competing in the INVITATIONAL SECTION of the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP! That alone is an achievement 95% of Nigerian chess players will never experience! He’s earned his seat at the table of CHAMPIONS!
Respect Factor: Last place among titans still beats first place among beginners! Lucky’s already won by being here!
WHY YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST WATCH THIS TOURNAMENT!
- Revenge Tour: Can Abdulraheem FINALLY claim the title after years of heartbreak?
- Teenage DEFENDING Champion: Can 18-year-old Nyuima do it AGAIN against the establishment?
- IM Supremacy: Will Olympic gold medalist Aikhoje or “Magnus Slayer” Balogun flex their ELITE credentials?
- The GOAT Returns: Can FOUR-TIME champion Kigigha add a 5th title to his legendary collection?
- Hot Streak MADNESS: Can “Master Muzan” Okhipo ride his December + January winning streak to glory?
- International Star Power: Will Tennyson Olisa bring his Grand Swiss momentum home?
- Prodigy Watch: Can 14-year-old “Boss Baby” Ekunke shock the veterans?
- FOUR Former/Recent Champions: Kigigha (4x), Balogun (2021), Okhipo (2024 Masters), Nyuima (2024) – ALL IN ONE FIELD!
THE BOTTOM LINE
The 2025 National Chess Championship Invitational Section is ABSOLUTELY STACKED with:
- 2 International Masters
- 4 FIDE Masters
- 4 Current/Former National Champions
- 1 Olympic Gold Medalist
- 1 Teen Prodigy who’s already national champion
- 1 Player who faced Magnus Carlsen
- 1 Player fresh off the FIDE Grand Swiss
- 1 Coach who’s trained national champions
- 1 Player on a ridiculous December-January winning streak
This isn’t just a tournament—it’s a CLASH OF GENERATIONS, a BATTLE OF LEGENDS, and a SHOWCASE OF TALENT!
Let the games begin! May the best mind win, may the coffee be STRONG, may the tactics be BRILLIANT, and may the blunders be MINIMAL!
P.S. – If these predictions are hilariously wrong, please find me on social media so I can explain how ratings don’t actually matter, momentum is everything, and chess is just organized chaos in disguise. Thank you. 😂
I remain…
Yours truly,
NathanFlow
The Storyteller, Beast of Newcastle, Master of Complications, The Teacher’s Pet, The Singularity Pitchman and The Pride of Tyneside
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Ferdinand’s early years were unremarkable to most, filled with the rhythm of a modest childhood in Abuja. But even in those formative years, his quiet demeanor and thoughtful nature hinted at a depth beyond his years. It was not until he turned eleven (11) that fate intervened, setting him on a path that would change his life forever.
