It has been an amazing journey so far with Africa Chess and Africa Chess Media, which I co-founded with my brother Ogunsiku Babatunde “Othims” from Nigeria.
We have not only established 2 of the leading chess websites on African chess but also organised hundreds of chess tournaments online on lichess and a few on chess.com.
We have together with other chess players also played a small role in connecting many chess players online.
I have never met Othims in person, but we have probably been in touch every day on average over the past few years.
In January, I will be taking a sabbatical from our chess businesses for at least a full year. This has been a very difficult decision for me, but one which I have been considering for some time now.
Running and ironically chess, have taught me that to really excel, I need to focus and specialise on just a few things. For so long I have been juggling so many things in my life, but am now cutting down things to relentlessly pursue fewer and fewer things. I have already said goodbye to a number of other things.
One of the other challenges is that technology is not moving fast enough for me. Some of the things I dream of might only be possible in a few years time, and I also need to publish more books. That is a huge endeavor on its own.
As I once said to someone, chess is my life but my life is not chess. I will still continue to play, study and coach chess and promote the game, but not in any official capacity at Africa Chess (Pty) Ltd and Africa Chess Media (Pty) Ltd during 2019. I will of course remain a fellow shareholder in our chess enterprises but will be low key for a bit.
I know that Othims will continue doing a fine job as CEO of Africa Chess Media and Africa Chess Pty.
