Ogosi Raphael May, 500 Level Medicine Student Wins Danhypro Chess Tournament In Ikorodu -

Kunle Adelabu

Presentation of Master Ogosi Raphael May, a 500 level Medicine student, University of Benin (UNIBEN), as the winner of the second edition of the Danhypro Chess Championship in Ikorodu.

A former highest ranking national junior Chess player and 500 level medicine student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Master Ogosi Raphael May, has emerged the winner of the second edition of the Danhypro Chess Tournament.

The championship was held at Pedachess Educational Limited, Ipakodo in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, between Friday, August 13 and Sunday, 15, 2021.

The young champion won the tournament with 8 points and went home with N120, 000 prize money.

The invitational tournament, which is rated, was privately sponsored by the young chess master in Nigeria, Mr Daniel Anwuli.

According to Mr Olawale Oyeneye, the Chief arbiter at the just concluded championship, the rating of the participants will be reflected on the international chess rating.

Mr Edet Udeme, another senior player who emerged second (left) being presented by one of the guests at the championship on Sunday.

Second runner – up player, Mr Ajayi Peter (right) with one of the guests during the closing ceremony in Ikorodu on Sunday.

Nine experienced and 9 young players participated in the tournament with a total of N540, 000 as prize money for participants.

Edet Udeme, another senior player, emerged second with 7 1/2points and got N80, 000 as prize money.

In the third, fourth, fifth and sixth positions were Ajayi Peter (6 1/2points), Okeke Isaac (6 points), Okonkwo Ifeanyi ((6points) and Dr Martin Odion (6 points).

They were presented with N55, 000, N40, 000, N40, 000 and N40, 000 prize money respectively.

Players in the seventh to tenth positions also went home with monetary prizes.

Oyeneye, the Chief Arbiter, speaking, said that Danhypro is an initiative to create platforms for chess players in the country to expose themselves to continental and global reckoning.

He added that it is also an avenue to discover young and talented players.

Meanwhile, the tournament winner, Ogosi, speaking with THE IMPACT, said that he was elated to win the tournament despite being away from the game due to his studies.

“I am happy and elated. I really don’t expect it because I have been away from the game for some time. I actually came in to cool off and I had to give my best”, he said.

“I got lucky a couple of times and here I am as the champion.

Edet Udeme, a senior (right) and Ojekwe Rafael Chidera, 300 Zoology from Nnamdi Azikwe University (left), during their final game at the Danhypro Chess Tournament in Ikorodu on Sunday.

Okonkwo Ifeanyi, another senior player who came fifth in the competition playing his final game with Master Monson Chimo, a junior player on Sunday.

“I really got the same level of fight from each of the opponents that I played. I had some hard games and some lucky escapes. I had great games from some seniors and they are really on top of the game. A couple of the juniors also gave me a run for my money”, Master Ogosi said.