ChessMasters 2026 Registers 150 Lagos Schools Ahead of Tournament Kick-off

With just one week remaining until Nigeria's premier inter-school chess competition begins, ChessMasters 2026 has achieved a significant goal: all 150 school slots are now occupied, marking the official start of the countdown to May 2nd.

This announcement was made on Thursday during a press briefing at the Sky Restaurant, Eko Hotels & Suites. Co-founders Caline Chagoury Moudaber and Damilola Okonkwo convened sponsors and media representatives to indicate that the tournament is moving from its preparatory phase into active engagement.

All 750 student participants, who represent both private and public primary schools from across Lagos, have been confirmed and are prepared to compete.

The main competition is scheduled to commence at 8:00 AM on Saturday, May 2nd, following a public holiday. The event is anticipated to conclude around 4:00 PM. All 750 students will be involved in simultaneous play across multiple rounds throughout the day, with planned breaks and sponsor activities complementing the chess matches. Organisers have stated that spectator passes will be available for those who missed the registration deadline, and a sign- up link will be provided shortly.

Caline Chagoury Moudaber, also a Director on the board of Eko Hotels & Suites, spoke about the journey of the tournament from its inception. She remarked, "ChessMasters began as an idea between two mothers. I'm not sure everyone fully grasped our vision. So, it's a huge achievement that we've received such extensive support." She expressed profound appreciation for the returning sponsors, including Mikano, Seven Up, and Fidson, highlighting that these brands supported the tournament even before it had an established track record. "They invested without knowing the outcome," she noted, adding, "We are extremely thankful to them."

For Damilola Okonkwo, Founder of Key Academy, the rapid closure of registrations underscored the event's appeal. "This time last year, we couldn't secure those numbers this early," she stated. "This is a reflection of the tournament we've established, and we are immensely proud of our accomplishments."

During the tournament's initial press conference over a month ago, schools were still being encouraged to register. That period has now passed, and the atmosphere at Thursday's briefing conveyed the strong demand for a competition that has evidently created significant interest within the city.

The briefing also featured representatives from sponsors such as Fidson, Mikano, i-invest, and Doculand, indicating a growing commercial confidence in the trajectory of ChessMasters. For an event focused on enhancing students' critical thinking skills as much as their knowledge, the current participation numbers strongly reflect its success.