14-YEAR-OLD NIGERIAN EKUNKE WINS INAUGURAL FIDE WORLD AMATEUR RAPID CHESS TITLE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Fourteen-year-old Nigerian chess prodigy Goodness Ekunke on Wednesday emerged champion of the inaugural International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship 2026 after delivering an outstanding performance in Abuja.
Ekunke secured the historic title with an impressive score of 9/11, finishing ahead of compatriots Eugene Unwana and Bomo Kigigha, who placed second and third respectively with 8½ points each.
The championship, organised by FIDE and the Nigeria Chess Federation, featured 11 rounds played under a rapid chess time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment.
Born in Matogun, Ogun State, Ekunke, popularly known as “Boss Baby” because of his ability to defeat much older opponents, has been regarded as one of Nigeria’s brightest young chess talents.
He became a national junior champion in the U-14 category at the age of eight after developing his skills by watching his father play chess.
“My father taught me how to play chess once, and before he did, I always watched him play with his friend when I was six,” Ekunke had mentioned in 2021 during an interview.
“I learnt the moves and used my queen well on the board, which helped me win games easily against my opponents.”
Another standout performer at the championship was 17-year-old Joseph Sambo, whose impressive run made him one of the major talking points of the tournament.
Sambo produced a series of strong performances, including a memorable eighth-round victory over eventual champion Ekunke. The teenager had earlier defeated Ekunke’s coach and mentor, Kigigha, making his campaign one of the tournament’s most remarkable stories.
He continued his impressive form in Round 9 with a victory over India’s Sahil Shejal, entering the final two rounds with a realistic chance of challenging for the title.
However, his hopes faded after a Round 10 defeat to Unwana, followed by another loss to Lanre Oluwalasinu in the final round. Sambo eventually finished fourth with 7½ points, narrowly missing out on a podium finish.
The prestigious competition attracted amateur players from across the world and featured leading figures from the chess community at its opening ceremony, including FIDE delegate Sergei Indeikin, Nigeria Chess Federation President Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, Vice President Prince Adewole Adeyinka and FIDE Vice President and Chief Arbiter Olalekan Adeyemi.
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