The Nigeria Chess Federation has announced that it will host the FIDE Zone 4.2 championship for the first time in Lagos this year.
The FIDE Zone 4.2 Chess Championship brings together twelve West African nations in a fierce showdown for regional supremacy from March 31st to April 9 at the Citiheight Luxury Hotel In Ikeja.
According to the vice president of the Federation, Prince Adeyinka Adewole, the participating countries are Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Togo, Senegal, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger,
“Over the past four years, Nigeria has proudly represented our nation in this prestigious tournament, competing in Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Liberia,” he said.
“This landmark event not only signifies our commitment to the growth of chess in West Africa but also coincides with the Nigeria Chess Federation’s (NCF) 50th anniversary. Hosting this championship is a fitting tribute to five decades of unwavering dedication to chess development in our country,” he noted
AVERTISEMENT
“Our preparations are well underway, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the National Sports Commission, FIDE- The World Chess Body, the African Chess Confederation (ACC), and many sponsors to be unveiled during the event, who have been instrumental in making this event possible.
“Participants will begin arriving on March 31st, 2025, just ten days away, with the official games set to kick off on April 1st. The tournament will run until April 9th, after which the excitement continues as Lagos will also host the Super Zonal Championship from April 10th to 16th.”
Prince Adewole who also doubles as the Chairman of the main organizing committee added that the elite competition will showcase champions from the 2024 and 2025 zonal events across Africa, culminating in the determination of the “Champion of Champions”.
“The winner will secure a coveted spot in the FIDE Chess World Cup later this year, alongside an opportunity to qualify for the Grand World Swiss Championship”
“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Nigeria Chess Federation, our aspiration remains steadfast: to witness a Nigerian player ascend to the highest echelons of global chess We are wholly committed to providing the necessary platform and support to turn this dream into reality,” he said.
Nigeria’s Abdulraheem Abdulrahman Akintoye is the defending champion of the tournament after he produced a splendid performance and supremacy at the 2024 edition held in Monrovia, Liberia
