Musician and entrepreneur, Barzini (Nwobodo Amechi David) kicks off the first leg of his chess tournament to promote his sophomore album “Beloved, Vol. 2 (The King’s Opening)”.
In collaboration with Orchid Lekki Chess Club and MacDaniel and Friends Initiative, the tour kicks off on July 24th at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka which is arguably home to the largest student community of chess players in Nigeria. The Lagos leg of the tournament will be played on the 1st of August on the online chess platform ‘Lichess’.
The chess-themed album features the street anthem “Rugged You” feat. Dr Barz, dancehall classic “King and Queen” feat. Layydoe and “Mr Nwobodo” which are already fan favourites off the album, receiving massive radio airplay in the South East.
The tournament will be played in nine rounds with a 10min time control. The theme of the tournament mandates white to play e4 (The King’s Opening) as the first move in all the games. This is in honour of the album title and also a tribute to former world champion Bobby Fischer. According to Barzini, “Fischer’s attitude towards excellence in chess inspired me a lot while making this album, I had him in mind all through the process”.
Prizes will be distributed to the winners of the tournament on the last day (25th July 2021).
Barzini is an avid promoter of chess and hopes the poetry of the beautiful game will come to appeal to more young people in the country.
