Breweries boost Africa Individual Chess Championships

Nigeria Breweries’ Gulder and Maltina have jointly boosted the ongoing Africa Individual Chess Championships (male and female) in Lagos, which started last weekend. The competition, which will run to September 28, is one of the top events on the African chess calendar.

Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF) is hosting the competition with over 10 countries in attendance.

Apart from Nigeria, the other participants are Cameroon, Togo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Madagascar, among others. 

Though with a strong presence in top sports like football and athletics, Nigerian Breweries in the past years have established a culture of supporting the ‘lesser sports.’

Speaking on the sponsorship, Senior Brand Manager for Gulder, Olufunmilayo Ogunbodede, described chess as a sport for ultimate minds, hence it was a plausible move for the ultimate beer to be involved.

He said: “We don’t even regard chess as a lesser sport; it is for the ultimate minds that is why the ultimate beer is giving its full support as Lagos welcomes the best chess players from across the continent.”

On her part, Senior Brand Manager Maltina, Onyebuchi Allanah, described chess as a game, which needs nourished minds and brains to excel.

“If there is one game that tasks the brain, really it is chess and Maltina with its different flavour, guarantee nourishment.

“We are glad to be part of this and we sincerely wish all the visiting players from across Africa the very best.” 

Apart from cash prizes, the winner of the championship will earn the prestigious Grandmaster title, while other top performers could also earn International Master (IM), Fide Master (FM) and Candidate Master (CM) titles. 

The organisers revealed that the president of FIDE (World Chess Federation), Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, will be in Nigeria for the first time in his capacity as president of the world body.