By S. Siapha Mulbah
The long-delayed 2024 edition of the National Chess Championship of Liberia has officially commenced, introducing new categories aimed at broadening participation and inspiring the next generation of chess players.
Launched on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Liberia Chess Federation (LCF) office in Monrovia, the championship began with a wave of enthusiasm, especially from younger players and veteran participants.
The federation announced two new competition brackets: the Cadet Category for players under 12 years old and the Senior Category for inactive players aged 50 and above.
More than 20 players competed in these newly introduced categories alongside the National Youth Chess Championship.
While the new divisions may be unfamiliar to many Liberians, participants welcomed the initiative as a promising step toward revitalizing the sport and expanding its reach.
LCF President Thomas Karyah, speaking at the opening ceremony, acknowledged the delays in hosting the 2024 edition, attributing the setbacks to financial constraints and unresolved internal leadership issues.
Despite these challenges, he expressed excitement over the official commencement of the event, which he described as the federation’s premier program.
Karyah emphasized that the inclusion of cadets and senior players reflects the LCF’s commitment to inclusivity and continuity in the sport.
“We are glad to kick off this competition with the attention of our cadets, who represent the future of chess in Liberia, and senior players who, though retired from active play, still have so much to offer,” he said.
The LCF president thanked all participants for supporting the championship and noted that the month-long event will culminate with the federation’s 8th General Assembly.
He also announced that the 2025 edition of the championship is scheduled for November and will serve as the basis for selecting Liberia’s team for the next World Chess Olympiad.
Following seven intense rounds of play across the different categories, William Binda emerged as the champion of the Cadet Category, Abigail Karyah won the National Youth Chess Championship, and James Bedell claimed the top spot in the Senior Category.
Karyah pledged that the LCF will host an awards ceremony at the conclusion of the tournament to recognize and reward champions with trophies and other incentives.
