The maiden Lagos International Chess Classics has received the backing of World Chess Federation (FIDE), after the world chess ruling body sanctioned the four-day tournament.
With President of FIDE, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov congratulating Nigeria for joining the league of countries staging international tournaments while backing the championship as a world ranking event.
The backing by FIDE was made possible following the recommendation of the Lagos Classics by the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF) to the world body.
This was made known at the just concluded Lagos state Chess Association (LSCA)-organised Lagos Chess Masters Series with the President of NCF, Lekan Adeyemi lauding LSCA for organizing the tournament, while also pledging support for the Lagos Classics.
For the Chairman, LSCA, Fela Bank-Olemoh, this development would help to give international outlook to the Lagos Classics.
“The Lagos International Chess Classic is a FIDE ranked tournament and we are expecting some grandmasters and international masters from other countries to participate”, said Bank-Olemoh.
He expressed appreciation to the Lagos State government for sponsoring the tournament, while noting that, “the support of the government has been a great impetus to our drive to make chess the choice sport for students and families”.
The Lagos Classics will kick off on October 8 to 11 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.
According to LSCA Technical Director, Bayo Babalola, players would compete in three categories.
The categories are men and women Open as well as U-14 boys and girls as this is the first international chess tournament to be staged in Nigeria this year.
