Over 750 pupils from 150 schools, at the weekend in Lagos, fought for various prizes at the 2026 ChessMasters Tournament sponsored by FirstBank of Nigeria.

Held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, the tournament, which First Bank affirmed as part of its youth development programmes, highlighted the growing scale of the initiative, which is positioning chess as a tool for building critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills among young learners.

Indian Language School emerged as the winner of the 2026 edition, as organisers said the tournament is steadily evolving into a broader movement aimed at shaping how children learn, think and grow.

Speaking at the end of the competition, First Bank’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Olayinka Ijabiyi, said the sponsorship aligns with its broader strategy of supporting talent development and social impact initiatives.

He said, “Our sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026 reflects our commitment to building talents and communities, driving inclusion, and deepening engagement through our First@Sports initiative, a platform that celebrates talent and promotes social impact through sports.”

Ijabiyi added that chess presents strong potential as a developmental tool for young people.

“We saw the tournament as a launchpad for a pan-African movement leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment and leadership development. We are utilising this platform as another avenue to promote social impact and drive positive change in the community,” he said.

Organised by KEY Academy in partnership with Eko Hotels and Suites, the tournament featured a prize pool of N10 million, reflecting increased stakeholder commitment to educational platforms that combine learning with competition.

Founder of KEY Academy, Damilola Okonkwo, said the initiative was designed to extend learning beyond the classroom and equip children with skills relevant to their future.

“We are so happy to have 150 schools across Lagos here today. When you are playing the game of chess, every single move you make is important. You are thinking, deciding and taking action, and that is the focus this year,” she said.

Director of Eko Hotels and Suites, Caline Chagoury Moudaber, said participation increased from 500 pupils last year to 750 this year, reflecting the initiative’s growing relevance.

“Last year, 500 students participated; this year, 750. So the movement is growing, and it belongs to you,” she said, while commending sponsors, including FirstBank, for supporting the platform.

Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, Adewole Adeyinka, described the competition as a fast-growing platform with national significance.