Here are Nigeria’s top 10 female ranked Chess players

Beyond its historical development, chess holds immense cultural significance. It has been revered as a tool for intellectual growth, fostering skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, patience, and concentration.

It is a games many believe teaches players to anticipate and plan ahead, weighing the consequences of their moves.

Here are 10 outstanding female chess players in Nigeria;

Quickpen, Deborah Ebimobo-ere:

She started playing chess at the age of three after being discovered by Bomo Kigigha. Deborah is the current national champion in Nigeria.

In 2023, at the age of 11, she became Nigeria’s female national champion, a record that might take decades to break. She is the highest-ranked under-12 female chess player in Africa and the third in the world.

On Tuesday, June 11, she squared up against Tunde Onakoya, in a mother of all chess match in Nigeria.

Suleiman, Azumi Ayisha:

Ayisha, popularly known as queen of the board was born in 2002, and started playing chess at age nine. She aspires to become a medical doctor and women grandmaster (WGM).

Ayisha, the wunderkind has similar story with the character in the movie “The Queen of Katwe”. The amiable chess prodigy is the first girl child from a very humble background who clawed her way to success.

She was discouraged a couple of times by her parents who didn’t understand earlier that chess is not just a game but a life changing game.

She was punished on many occasions for attending chess lessons organised by Ichado Innocent Ibe, but her drive and keen interest in the game saw her through. She is rated 1765 (Classical), and 1750 (Rapid)

Toritsemuwa Ofowino:

Toritsemuwa started her chess playing career in the year 2010, and she was well baptised on the board of play, but she still picked up one of the female prizes on offer.

However, knowing where she was coming from, she did not give up, but dedicated her life to understanding the game better.

She began her journey towards improvement and in a couple of years, she participated at the National Sports Festival, Eko 2012, representing her state, Delta State, in what was a major step in the right direction for the young girl.

Perpetual Ogbiyoyo:

Perpetual was born in Maiduguri, Borno State on June 26, 1997 by Ughelli, Delta State parents. She started playing chess at age nine, like they, the rest is history.