The maiden edition of the Sardauna Ilorin National Open Chess Championship has officially commenced in Ilorin, drawing some of Nigeria's top-ranked male and female players competing for a $1,000 grand prize.

The four-day national tournament, which began on Wednesday, is scheduled to run through Saturday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the George Agbazika Innih Stadium Complex in the Kwara State capital.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the championship features both classical and blitz chess categories, with the overall victor in the Open division set to claim the $1,000 star reward.

Delivering an address at the opening ceremony, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bolakale Mogaji, commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for providing modern sports facilities to foster athletic growth across the state.

Mogaji also lauded the tournament's sponsor, the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area and Kwara State Chess Association Chairman, Femi Yusuf, for funding the national competition. He stated that the event was strategically structured to identify and nurture emerging chess talent at the grassroots level.

The Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Dr Bode Durotoye, commended the participants for the impressive attendance figure while assuring players and officials of a seamless execution throughout the event.

NAN reports that Nigeria's top-ranked male chess player, Kwara-born Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, is among the elite contenders vying for honors. Other prominent male competitors include Olisa Ewomazino and Eyetongham Callistus.

The female category features high-profile participants, including Nigeria's number-one ranked female chess player, Sulyman Azumi Aishat, alongside current World Rapid Champion, Omoruyi Sandra.

The championship is anticipated to offer a robust competitive environment for participants, elevate grassroots talent, and deepen the popularity of chess within Kwara State and across Nigeria.