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What is ChessMasters?
Launched on Saturday, 3rd May 2025, ChessMasters made a powerful debut, beginning its journey toward becoming Africa’s largest annual school chess tournament. Created through a powerful partnership between KEY academy, Africa’s first 100% project-based school, Eko Hotel & Suites, West Africa’s leading hospitality brand, and Chess in Slums Africa, a globally recognised chess non-profit organisation, ChessMasters is a game-changing initiative designed to equip children with essential 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision making. More than just a chess tournament, its first edition marked the start of a movement to shape the next generation of young leaders.
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Who is eligible?
Our inaugural ChessMasters tournament in May 2025 was opened to primary school children aged between 6 and 11 years old, across Lagos, eager to challenge themselves, think critically, and compete at the highest level. We believe that, irrespective of whether they are beginners or experienced players, all children should have the opportunity to learn, grow, and showcase their skills in a dynamic, competitive, and nurturing environment.
Why should your school be a part of it?
Develop 21st-century skills
An opportunity for children to sharpen critical thinking, resilience, and strategic problem-solving in a competitive yet supportive environment. Chess has been proven to enhance concentration, boost academic performance, and develop essential 21st-century skills that prepare students for the future they will inherit.
A movement transforming education
By participating, your school joins a movement that fosters intellectual growth and encourages healthy competition amongst peers.
A prestigious pan-African tournament
As the tournament grows, we will be expanding eligibility to include children up to the age of 16 from across Nigeria, and ultimately Africa. This will help ensure that more young, bright minds from across the continent can benefit from the power of chess, as we push to make it a cornerstone of 21st-century education in Africa!
A new era for chess in Nigeria
100+
schools
₦5,000,000+
prize money won
500+
participants
How can your school enter the next edition?
Step 1
Register
Complete the online registration form when registrations are open.
Step 2
Make Payment
Once your online payment for registration is confirmed, you’ll receive access to training resources to help the children in your team prepare for the tournament.
Step 3
Train
Continue to train to get ready for the big day!
Proudly sponsored by
Are you ready to be a ChessMaster?
“The 2025 edition of ChessMasters has now concluded. Thank you for the overwhelming interest and support! ChessMasters is an annual celebration of 21st-century skills and community, and we’re already looking ahead to 2026 and beyond.
Whether you’re a returning player or planning to join us for the first time, we can’t wait to welcome you to our future events and we will share information closer to the time. Until then!”
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