Nigerian wins Chess President's Cup

The winner in the middle with the executives Nigerian Emmanuel Ochuku Onovughe brushed aside competition from compatriot Erhabor David and Manan Yoboue Hermann from Cote d'Ivoire to win the 5th President's Cup Chess Championship held at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium.

Accra, July 6, GNA - Nigerian Emmanuel Ochuku Onovughe brushed aside competition from compatriot Erhabor David and Manan Yoboue Hermann from Cote d'Ivoire to win the 5th President's Cup Chess Championship held at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium.

The competition saw about 30 participants from Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, and Togo to battle in the five day event.

Onuvughe capped his excellent tournament with draws in the final two rounds to gain 7.5 points ahead of veteran Erhabor who came second with seven points to pocket USD 700 whilst Erhabor took USD 500 with the third Hermann awarded USD 400.

Nigerian Ofowino Toretsemuwa emerged as the top placed lady winner whilst Ghanaian duo International Master Anquandah Francis Eric and Candidate Master Jamena Joseph Mensah ended the event as the top placed local players.

In the U 16 junior category top seed Devyansh Agarwal emerged winner in the male category whilst Marian Farmmer won the female category.

The 5th President's Cup by Ghana Chess Association (GCA) in partnership with Kasparov Chess Foundation who presented 600 chess sets to GCA was held to improve the performance of players and create awareness for the discipline.

Onuveghe told GNA Sports that "This is my first time and I feel excited to win because I had a stiff competition from my competitors.

"I think chess should be introduced in schools for the youth to partake.

It was a well organised tournament with good players who are improving with lots of potentials in them and all they need is tournaments like this to better their performance''.

The vice president of GCA Phillip Ameku stated that, the chess sets presented to them will be used to develop the game at school level across the country and urged the players to keep training ahead of the inter-club and the National Championship.

Ameku revealed that, his outfit hoped to participate in next year's Chess Olympiad.

GNA