Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, has performed a ceremonial chess move to officially open the Royal Rapid Chess Classic 2026.
The tournament is part of activities marking his 10th Coronation Anniversary, with 126 players competing for honours and cash prizes.
The Benin monarch made the symbolic opening move against eight-year-old player Emmanuella Omoragbon on Saturday morning at his palace in Benin City, winning the brief exhibition match after capturing her bishop.
Following the game, the first Class traditional ruler pledged to sponsor the Primary 3 pupil’s education and welfare.
Giving a brief historical background on the game of chess during the event, Oba Ewuare promised to add royal prizes for the winners.
Oba Ewuare said, “This child is now a child of the palace. From now on, I want the palace to monitor the progress of the little girl: how she is doing with chess, her education and her welfare.
“Even the food she eats, we want to know. The palace will now take care of her needs,” the monarch said.
“If there are any challenges concerning her, the parents must bring them to my notice. For a child of eight to be playing Chess at this level is wonderful”, according to the Oba.
Overall champions will receive royal souvenirs crafted from Benin bronze alongside their cash awards during the grand finale on November 21, 2026.
The monarch also presented a royal gift of ₦2 million to the participating chess players and visiting students of Edo College who accompanied the delegation to the palace where Mrs. Doris Omoragbon, mother of the sponsored pupil, received ₦250,000.
Emmanuella was accompanied to the palace by her mother, a national chess champion and senior player with the Edo State Sports Commission.
Speaking in an interview, Mrs. Omoragbon expressed deep gratitude to the Benin monarch, describing herself as overwhelmed by the royal gesture.
Following the palace opening, the tournament moved to the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub on Airport Road, Benin City, where 126 of the 130 registered players converged.
Contestants were drawn from 10 States, including Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, and the host state, Edo.
Tournament Coordinator and prominent chess promoter, Augustine Apemiye, thanked the Oba for incorporating chess into his anniversary programme.
He revealed that the monarch’s approval is being sought to establish the Oba Ewuare II Chess Club to give children in the palace an opportunity to learn the game.
Apemiye also offered to bring in chess champions to train palace youth and scout for young talent.
According to the organizers, cash prizes will be awarded across multiple categories:
Open Category: The overall winner takes home the star prize of ₦350,000, while second and third places receive ₦250,000 and ₦150,000 respectively.
Players finishing 4th to 10th position will get ₦50,000 each. The best Edo indigene and the best veteran player will also receive ₦50,000 each.
Under-20 Category (Men and Women): First place wins ₦100,000, second place receives ₦80,000, and third place takes ₦50,000.
Under-14 Category: Cash prizes are ₦30,000 for 1st place, ₦20,000 for 2nd place, and ₦10,000 for 3rd place.
Under-10 Category: Winners receive ₦25,000 (1st), ₦15,000 (2nd), and ₦10,000 (3rd).
The Royal Rapid Chess Classic 2026 not only underscores Oba Ewuare’s enduring commitment to youth empowerment and intellectual development, but it also sets a vibrant, cerebral tone for his milestone 10th Coronation Anniversary—blending ancient Benin heritage with the strategic promise of the next generation.
