LAGOS STATE SPORTS FESTIVAL: CHESS

The Lagos State Sports Festival chess event took place form the 10th - 16th of November at the University of Lagos, Sports Complex.

There was a lot of variety as concerns the medal events at the tournament .
Take the major categories:
1. Doubles 
2. Mixed Doubles 
3. Singles Knock-Out 
4. Singles Round-Robin

If you are bewildered by now, I am truly glad to tell you I know of no more categories in this multivariate event. But they were interesting! Hilarious to watch the events unfold and emotional to play as the formats enforce passion and participation.

The doubles event is played by two pairs. One pair consist of two players (mixed doubles is male and female while ‘just’ doubles is 2 males) who take the white or black pieces on only one chess board depending on pairing. Then one team’s player A makes a move, the opposing team’s player A replies, the first team’s player B now makes the second move on the same board then the opposing team’s player B replies mirroring the interplay that occurs in a Lawn Tennis and Table Tennis Doubles Match.   

As for singles, play is more normal except that in the knock-out an unfortunate pairing with a stronger player in the 1st round could leave you wondering if you ever participated in the event.

Here are pictures from the medal awards ceremony

Ibukun Shonda