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About the tournament
The story, the vision, and the movement behind Nigeria's premier annual school chess tournament.
The Story
ChessMasters was created to unlock the power of chess as a tool for developing the next generation of thinkers and leaders. Launched in 2025 through a partnership between KEY academy and Eko Hotels & Suites, the tournament was designed to take chess beyond the classroom and onto a larger national platform where schools across Nigeria could compete, connect, and grow.
The inaugural edition brought together 100 schools and 500 students, with over ₦8 million awarded in prize money, demonstrating both the scale of the tournament and the strong appetite for an experience that combines competition with the development of essential 21st-century skills such as critical thinking and decision making.
Today, ChessMasters continues to grow as an annual programme reaching more schools each year, with a long term vision of expanding access to these opportunities for young people across Nigeria and eventually across Africa as a whole.
The Grand Vision
Over time, ChessMasters will expand participation across Nigeria and, ultimately, across Africa.
1
State Tournament
Primary schools in Lagos compete, with winning students receiving prizes for their schools.
2
National Tournament
Regional competitions expand across states, culminating in a national final hosted at Eko Hotels & Suites.
3
Continental Tournament
The long-term vision is an annual African championship bringing together top students from participating countries.
Why should your school be a part of it?
Develop 21st-century skills
Chess has been proven to enhance concentration, boost academic performance, and develop essential skills that prepare students for the future.
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 from across Nigeria, and ultimately Africa, helping democratise access to 21st-century skills.
Requirements
To maintain the credibility and standard of the tournament, participating schools should meet the following:
Eligibility
Opened to registered primary schools. Students must be aged 6 - 11 years.
Team Structure
Teams should consist of a minimum of 4 students and maximum of 5.
Expectations
Schools should prioritise sportsmanship, character, and strategic learning.
How can your school be part of it?
Step 1
Register
Complete the online registration form during the open registration window.
Step 2
Confirmation
Once payment is confirmed, your school receives official onboarding details and preparation guidance.
Step 3
Prepare
Train your student team ahead of tournament day.
Step 4
Compete
Join hundreds of schools for the next edition of ChessMasters in Lagos.
ChessMasters 2026 - Key dates (Completed)
Completed
March 15, 2026
Registration opened ✓
March – April 2026
Preparation phase ✓
April 15, 2026
Final registration deadline ✓
Saturday, May 2, 2026
ChessMasters 2026 tournament day ✓ - View Results
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