Interview: Meet Jide Aboyade

At the recently concluded Lagos State Sports Festival, Lagos Island East Local Government was entirely represented by students of Kings College. This is a positive contribution to youth chess which is receiving scarce attention these days. I caught up with Jide Aboyade who is probably their best player and here's our brief chat.

Can you please introduce yourself?

J.A: I am an S.S 3 student of King’s College, representing Lagos Island East.

How old are you?

J.A: 16

How was the festival?

J.A:  I found it very interesting. I won a silver medal in the ‘mixed doubles’.

Who partnered with you?

J.A:  Alexis Dikeocha.

Alexis is an experienced player, what was it like, playing with her?

J.A: She played well, I played well and we both won silver medals for ourselves.

What was your experience in the individual events?

J.A:  I scored 4 out of 7 in the round-robin but lost out in the 2nd round of the knock-out event.

Do you have any particularly memorable game?

J.A:  I was happy to defeat a more experienced player, I can't recall his name, in the round-robin. He had defeated me earlier in the knockout event.

What other chess competitions have you participated in before now?

J.A:  Yes. Femi Badejo, Under -14 and N.B.L.

Does your school play in the ‘international secondary school chess league’?

J.A: Yes. We just started playing last year.

What is your ambition as regards chess?

J.A: I want to play at the grandmaster level.

You want to become a grandmaster?

J.A: Yes.

How long do you think that will take you?

J.A: 2 years.

Really ?

J.A: Yes.

What kind of assistance would you require from bodies like NCF, Ministry of Sports and of course well meaning chess lovers?

J.A: I would like them to organize more tournaments like this.

What about your academic pursuits? What and where do you want to study?

J.A: I will like to study law in this university. (University of Lagos).

How will you cope with chess and the law ?

J.A: I intend to put my all into the two.

Thanks. It has been nice talking with you and on behalf of ChessHeights I wish you the best in all your endeavours.

J.A: Thank you.