The Abuja metropolis played host to the Grand Finale of the chess tournament being hosted by the DOA (an acronym for the name of the founder) Sports Management Limited.
Four (4) players journeyed for this final, after emerging victorious at their various zones.
These young players converged in Abuja on Friday. Their transportation were sponsored by Danhypro Services, as noted in our last article.
The players got registered in the early hours of Saturday, the 22nd of this month.
The Games:
The event started with a single round robin. This was used to determine who plays against themselves in the semifinals.
At the end of the round robin, the following pairing ensued:
The games on table 2 ended quickly, as Adamu swiftly blew past Obinna. Although, this was a rapid event (best of four [4] games), with a time control of ten (10) minutes plus ten (10) seconds added from move 1; the time was seemingly too much for Adamu to show his strength against Obinna.
With only a few minutes gone in the clock, it was 1-0 in favor of the Kaduna based youngster. While the first game on table 1 was still being played, it was 2-0 against Obinna.
As Toluwanimi converted his first win against Callistus, Adamu confirmed his final status with a 3rd win against the distraught Obinna.
With brilliant play, Toluwanimi converted the second game against Callistus, needing a draw to claim his place in the finals.
In search of the draw in the 3rd game, Toluwanimi fell prey to the predator called Callistus, as the fight back began.
Callistus seemed like a rejuvenated man after the win. With the understanding that he can not afford to draw, he pulled out another impressive victory over Toluwanimi.
Game
With the game tied at 2-2, the match went on into Armageddon, where white has six (6) minutes and must win, and black had five (5) minutes and only needed a draw.
Playing from the black side, Okemakinde put the game to bed with a fine win over Callistus. This secured a hard fought qualification into the final of the event.
The 3rd place match between Callistus and Obinna was a one way affair in results. However, Obinna lasted a bit longer against Callistus, even though he was unable to secure a draw through the match up. He lost 3-0.
The final between Toluwanimi and Adamu was as interesting as it could get, with the two (2) youngsters throwing everything at each other.
In the end, Toluwanimi stood tall after the first two (2) games. The 3rd game was teetering towards what happened in the semifinals, but Toluwanimi was able to find the draw line and grabbed it with both hands.
A result of two and a half (2.5) to half (0.5) ensured victory for the Lagos zone champion of the DOA Sports Chess Tournament, Okemakinde Toluwanimi.
The closing ceremony had prizes immediately disbursed to the players. Okemakinde Toluwanimi received his prize winnings of three hundred and fifty thousand naira (N350,000), for his 1st place finish. Adamu Abdullahi received his prize winnings of a hundred and fifty thousand naira (N150,000), for his 2nd place finish. While Eyetonghan Callistus received his prize winnings of fifty thousand naira (N50,000) for his 3rd place finish.
Danhpro Services ensured that everyone is a winner, by providing a consolation prize of thirty thousand naira (N30,000) for Udochukwu Obinna for finishing 4th place at the event.
The organization also made good on their commitment to provide a laptop for the champion of the event. Okemakinde Toluwanimi opted to receive cash payment of two hundred thousand naira (N200,000), in other to add money to it and purchase a stronger laptop.
The ChessBase materials, which was promised, will be provided to Toluwanimi, once he confirms the purchase of his laptop.
The DOA Sports Management organizing team was joyed with the success of the event, and they have committed to hosting another event of this caliber soonest. However, the prizes will be bigger.
