By S. Siapha Mulbah
It is indeed a critical case for prediction or determination as to the show of strength in the chess community, as two groups of players compete in a recognized regional competition in Liberia. For the first time in 10 years, the West African Chess Championship, referred to as Zone 4.2 by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is visiting the oldest country in the region.
The individual mind-molding event is taking place in the lower region of Margibi County, with junior or beginner players taking an adventure to explore in their games’ pace, while senior or champion players stand on the other hand to extend dominance in their practices. The competition is a straight nine-round race and is in two separate categories, namely: Women session and Open session.
In the women’s category, new players with no ratings are paired to compete in the nine-rounds against players with some improved ratings from six different countries representing their respective federations. The total number of women playing in the 2024 Zone 4.2 is 12, with Liberia featuring the highest number of players on hosting rights.
Among the 12 women participants, there are four unrated, with the others’ ratings ranging from over 1400s to over 1900s. Nigeria has the highest female players and nonrated players, with a lone player from Mali and Sierra Leone, along with two Liberians.
In the open session contested by all males, over 30 players from seven different federations have kicked off the race of who takes the championship of the region for the next one year. In this category, nearly 10 percent, summing three players, are of no rating, but courageous to interface with opponents that have ratings ranging from 1547 (lowest) to 2245 (highest).
Looking at the mixed pairings, unrated players have expressed going into the competition without fear because there is hope on using early preparation as a medium to explore. Some told this paper that chess is not a game of magic, but they believe that there is nothing impossible.
Bintou Diallo of Mali is a beginner player. She has played chess for six months and is currently in Liberia representing the Malian Chess Federation. As one of the unrated female players, Bintou told reporters that she is at the competition to make history for herself and nation.
According to her, she is not panicking over her experience at the zonal event, but glad to have the opportunity to learn and make great moves in chess. “I am glad being in Liberia to participate in this competition.”
For her part, Liberia rated player and national female champion, Georgina Sackie, disclosed that the burden of flagging Liberia as national champion means that her delivery matters. According to her, being the host, she is focused on achieving with an eye on the women championship of the region, while preparing for Budapest, Hungary for the 2024 Olympiad.
Meanwhile, the most rated player in the championship from the open session, Abdulrahman Akintoye Abdulraheem of Nigeria, has vowed to make greater mark in the competition than what landed him in second place in the last edition.
The FIDE master urged his fans and well-wishers both home and around the region, to pray for him as he endeavors to unleash more energy in chess over other players that have dedicated their time to individual growth in the game.
According to Abdulraheem, chess as a game stands open to every player until the last move is taken, which gives him the right to acknowledge the other players that are participating in the different parings.
The tournament started over the weekend; starting rounds and results will be made in subsequent publications with details on other developments in the matches.
