The inaugural ChessMasters tournament is set to take place on May 3, 2025, at Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos, Nigeria. The event expects over 500 young chess players from more than 100 schools to participate, with over ₦5,000,000 in prize money at stake.
The tournament is designed for primary school children aged 6-11 years old and aims to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership development through chess. Organized by KEY Academy and Eko Hotels & Suites, with technical support from Chess in Slums Africa (CISA), the event seeks to create a lasting impact on the development of young minds in Nigeria and beyond.
The founders, inspired by the benefits of chess for their own children, envision ChessMasters as a platform for positive change, fostering 21st-century skills, and nurturing future leaders. With plans for expansion across Nigeria and the continent, the tournament aspires to become a significant annual event in African school chess.
