Nigeria’s Oladapo Adu has tied with Serbia’s grand master, Dejan Antic and Uganda’s international master, Elijah Emojong at the top of the log after round of five matches at the ongoing Lagos International Chess Classics.
Adu, who prior to the round of five match on Thursday was on 3.5points leveled up with the Serbian and Ugandan after recording victory in his round of five match now has 4.5points.
Also, the Serbian played a draw with the Ugandan to garner 4.5points from same number of matches.
With the tournament ending on Friday, winners in the two events – open and U-14 will be decided with the champion in the open event carting home $5000.
Also, the Main Organising Committee (MOC) is organizing a one-day lecture for players taking part in the competition, while the Serbian grand master will handle the session on Saturday.
Aside from the lecture, the Serbian is expected to play an exhibition matches with 20 selected players including the top five in the U-14 category.
According to the tournament director, Adebayo Babalola, the essence of the lecture was to improve the skills of the players as well as to expose them to what obtains globally.
“Basically, the lecture is to update the knowledge of our players and the grand master who is also an expert in the game will handle the lecture. We are hoping that from this, they will improve their skills and also get to know the new tips in the game. 20 selected players both male and female will play an exhibition match with the Serbian grand master. For us, it is an opportunity for us that we have a grand master and it behoves on us to avail ourselves this opportunity by tapping from the knowledge of the Serbian,” Babalola said.
Also, 40 students from Lagos and Kogi registered for the U-14 event with Lagos-based Chrisland School having more players in the competition.
Other schools taking part in the event are Alliant College, The African Church Model School, Kith and Kin, Dansol, Penny International School, Home Science School, Redeemers Nursery and Primary School and Delight Some British School.
From Kogi State are Faith Academy, Salem Academy, Al-Ansar Secondary School and CAC Nursery and Primary School.
