By Eric Elezuo
Class, intelligence and brains were all at display when the much anticipated Chess Showdown, tagged Battle of the Ages hit town in the luxurious Centerpoint Tower, Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi, Lagos
Powered by Daniel Ford International, the game of mind, wits and alertness was between Guinness World Record holder, Tunde Onakoya, who is also the Founder, Chess in Slums of Africa, and the 12-year-old child chess prodigy, Deborah Quickpen. The game ended in a draw.
Analysts have scored Tunde Onakoya high for showing his prowess early in the game winning the Rapid games 3:1.
But as her name is, Quickpen made a quick recovery, turning the tables in the blitz games. Her recovery gave her a 3:1 victory
Tunde had started well in the blitz game, winning the first, and keeping Deborah in a tight corner. However, fate was on Quickpen’s side as she took the second, third and fourth games with ease.
The last two games of the blitz sessions were indeed a walk over for Quickpen. She won convincingly on both the board and on the clock.
While Onakoya won the first set by 3:1, Quickpen won the second by the same 3:1. The total at the end of proceedings was 4:4. No winner, no vanquished!
A deep hug, immediately after the game by Tunde to Deborah was all it took to prove the game was not just a tough one, but also well enjoyed.
Congratulations to the duo of Onakoya and Quickpen for their great contributions to the game of Chess in Nigeria.
