Follow Us on Google
The 2026 FIDE World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship has reached the midpoint of its Rapid event, with leading players beginning to separate themselves after six of 11 scheduled rounds at the Bolton White Event Hall.
The tournament, which has drawn amateur players from around the world, opened with a technical meeting at which organisers confirmed the full 11-round format would be retained for both the Rapid and Blitz events despite a relatively small field. Officials also confirmed female competitors remain eligible for two separate prize categories.
The championship was formally declared open by Nigeria Chess Federation President Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, who made the ceremonial first move and welcomed competitors to Nigeria. He was joined at the opening ceremony by FIDE Delegate Sergei Indeikin, NCF Vice President Prince Adewole Adeyinka, and FIDE Vice President and Chief Arbiter Olalekan Adeyemi.
Play has been fiercely contested from the outset. FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha was among the early pace-setters, beating Lanre Seye Oluwalasinu, while Odey Goodness Ekunke, CM Toluwanimi Okemakinde, AFM Aryan Raj, Augustine Imohede Apemiye and Sandra Osarugue Omoruyi all posted wins of their own. Tersoo Moses Adekpe drew with Kumar Saket, and former national champion Architect Theophilus Caiafas split the point with AIM Ambesh.
With five rounds remaining in the Rapid section, organisers say consistency is likely to prove decisive before the tournament moves into the 11-round Blitz competition. The event forms part of a broader push to position Abuja and Nigeria as a hub for major international chess competitions.
