The 64Spots Chess Community had a major boost on Friday, 15th July 2022 when the Vice President, Nigeria Chess Federation, Prince Adeyinka Adewole stormed the 64Spots meet up at Hangout Cafe, Oke Ijebu, Akure. Our growing community was privileged to have a great time with one of Nigeria’s finest chess administrators and indeed a fantastic chess player too. Prince Adewole engaged the 64Spots community with deep thoughts and insights on the current state of chess and indeed the future of chess in Nigeria and Africa. “The future of chess in Nigeria is bright but it would take a lot of collaborative efforts of more stakeholders, both in the public and private sectors, as well as individuals who have a passion for this game and are truly committed to its growth and development.” Prince Adewole remarked.
“There are a lot of technocrats and people in high places who play chess and if we all come together to work towards taking the game mainstream, there is no stopping us.”
On this issue of when Nigeria would have its first chess grandmaster, the NCF VP had this to say: “Honestly I can’t say how soon this would be but it is definitely a possibility. I know we can achieve this within five years if we all truly commit to seeing this happen.”
Prince Adeyinka Adewole playing with David Olatunji, 3rd Runner-Up of the maiden edition of the 64Spots Chess Challenge at the Hangout Cafe. The VP won 8 out of 10 and David ‘proudly won’ 2 games. It is not everyday you get to beat a boss!
Prince Adewole also spoke about the recent 64Spots Chess Challenge in Akure, Ondo State and the South-South National Chess Tournament in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State where young Nigerians like Toluwani Okemakinde and Emmanuel Joy Idara showed a lot of promise. “We are definitely on the way to that great destination”.
Vice President, Nigeria Chess Federation charging the 64Spots Community on the current state and the future of chess in Nigeria and Africa.
We had an extra dose of powerful words from Coach Dipo Akinyemi, the pioneer Ondo State chess coach who showed up at Hangout Cafe to meet with the community. We see Coach Dipo as perhaps the patriarch of Ondo State chess and his legacy remains firm even today as far as the growth and development of chess in Ondo State is concerned.
“I love what you guys have done with the 64Spots and this ongoing revival of chess in Ondo State. This is a beautiful initiative and I am happy to support you in every way” Coach Dipo Akinyemi affirmed.
Akinleye Akinov Akinseye, former Ondo State Chess coach and Partner, 64Spots was also on ground to support the community as usual and reiterated that there was no stopping the moving train now and indeed we would go on to do great things in chess in Nigeria.
The 64Spots Community meet at Hangout Cafe, Oke Ijebu, Akure every Sunday by 2pm. This initiative is a joint collaboration with the Hangout Cafe and Akure Games Hangout (AGH).
