World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship reaches halfway stage as title race intensifies in Abuja

World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship reaches halfway stage as title race intensifies in Abuja

The race for honours at the 2026 FIDE World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship has intensified as the Rapid event reached its halfway mark in Abuja, with leading contenders beginning to separate themselves after six of the scheduled 11 rounds.

The prestigious championship, holding at the Bolton White Event Hall, has attracted amateur players from different parts of the world, all battling for the coveted FIDE World Amateur Rapid and Blitz titles.

The tournament opened with a Technical Meeting where players and officials agreed to retain the full competition schedule despite the relatively small field.

Competitors are therefore set to contest 11 rounds each in the Rapid and Blitz events over five days, ensuring every scheduled game is played.

Tournament officials also clarified that female participants remain eligible to win two prize categories, providing an added incentive for the women competing.

The opening ceremony featured several dignitaries, including FIDE Delegate Sergei Indeikin, Nigeria Chess Federation President Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Vice President Prince Adewole Adeyinka, and FIDE Vice President and Chief Arbiter Olalekan Adeyemi.

Senator Dankwambo officially declared the championship open after making the ceremonial first move, welcoming participants to Nigeria and expressing pride in hosting an event of such international significance.

The competition immediately lived up to expectations, with players battling fiercely for valuable points.

FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha emerged as one of the early pace-setters after defeating Lanre Seye Oluwalasinu, while Odey Goodness Ekunke, CM Toluwanimi Okemakinde, AFM Aryan Raj, Augustine Imohede Apemiye and Sandra Osarugue Omoruyi all recorded impressive victories.

Elsewhere, Tersoo Moses Adekpe shared the points with Kumar Saket, while former Nigerian national champion Architect Theophilus Caiafas settled for a draw against AIM Ambesh in another closely fought contest.

Now at the halfway stage of the Rapid championship, the battle for the overall title has become even more intriguing, with consistency expected to prove decisive over the remaining five rounds.

Attention now shifts to the concluding rounds of the Rapid event before the championship moves into the Blitz competition, where players will again contest 11 rounds in what promises to be another exciting test of speed, precision and composure.

With Abuja hosting the global amateur chess community, the championship continues to highlight Nigeria's growing reputation as a destination for major international chess events while showcasing the competitive spirit and universal appeal of the game.