By Amaechi Agbo

The Chess Section of the Enugu Sports Club on Saturday flagged off its 2025 end-of-year annual competition at the Club’s Chess Conclave.

The ceremony opened with a novelty match between the leader of the Section, Oba Agbalanze Prince Chukwuemeka Onyeso, and Dr. Onwumere, and featured the theme: “The Very Best Move Often Does Not Exist.”

The Chairman of the Organising Committee and Secretary of the Enugu State Chess Association Board, Dr. JBC Emenike, announced that the main competition will commence on Monday, 1st December 2025, and continue daily. The grand finale and awards ceremony will hold on 12th December 2025 and Leaders and award night at the Chess Conclave, Enugu Sports Club, GRA, Enugu.

Speaking after the flag-off, the Leader of the Chess Conclave, Oba Agbalanze Prince Chukwuemeka Onyeso, noted that the event is part of the annual tradition in which every section of the Enugu Sports Club organises a competition to mark the end of the year.

In his remarks, the former Section Leader and Chairman of the Enugu State Chess Association Board, Dr. Onwumere, described the event as a social interaction platform designed to bring members together in a convivial atmosphere of friendship and celebration.

Dignitaries present at the ceremony included the Leader of the Chess Conclave, Oba Agbalanze Prince Chukwuemeka Onyeso; Chairman, Enugu State Chess Association Board, Dr. Onwumere; Deputy Leader, Sir Clement Okwor; Chairman, Organising Committee, Dr. JBC Emenike;  Dr. Alex Ogbonnia. Mr. Ment Nomeh, Chief Mrs. Erinne, among others.

In another development, the Enugu State Chess Association Board will conclude its chess promotion and sensitisation programme in selected secondary schools across Enugu metropolis at Abakpa Girls Secondary School on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025.

The Chairman of the Board, Dr. Onwumere, stated that the programme aims to popularise the game of chess in secondary schools across Enugu State, in order to identify and develop talented players who will represent the state at the forthcoming National Sports Festival, scheduled to hold in Enugu State in 2025.

He explained that the Association has so far visited and taught chess in eight schools, including Queens School, Enugu; College  of the Immaculate Conception (CIC), Enugu; Holy Rosary College, among others.