VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS— Following a landmark debut in 2015, the 2026 edition of ChessMasters is set to return to the Eko Convention Centre on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
This year’s tournament, themed “Your Move,” will see a considerable growth, combining 750 main school students from 150 schools throughout Lagos State to contend for a doubled reward pool of 10 million.
The effort, a partnership between KEY Academy and Eko Hotels & Suites, aims to reposition chess not just as a parlor game, however as an important pedagogical tool for establishing 21st-century abilities such as tactical foresight, resilience, and analytical in an AI-driven world.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the Co-Founder of ChessMasters and Director at Eko Hotels, Mrs. Caline Chagoury Moudaber, kept in mind that the 2026 edition signals an advancement from a single occasion into a deep-rooted movement concentrated on trainee company.
“In 2015, we saw the unbelievable power of chess to spark the creativity of over 500 trainees,” Moudaber said. “This year, we are expanding that board, welcoming more students to understand that every relocation they make is an action towards a more vibrant and vibrant future.”
Read also: CHECKMATE! Trainees and students display brainpower at APEN chess competition
Damilola Okonkwo, Creator of secret Academy and co-visionary of the job, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the competitors commemorates every participant despite the result.
She highlighted that the number of getting involved schools has leapt from 100 to 150, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for project-based learning in the city.
The General Manager of Eko Hotels & Suites, Danny Kiopouroglou, attended to the “paradox” of parlor game flourishing in a modern period.
He mentioned research studies recommending that games like chess considerably improve social wellness and mental health by cultivating real-world interaction.
While the 2026 edition stays focused on Lagos, the organizers exposed a roadmap to take the tournament nationwide and ultimately Pan-African.
The objective is to develop Eko Hotels as the irreversible home for a continental final that unites the very best young minds from throughout Africa.
The Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF) has thrown its full weight behind the job. Vice President Adeyinka Adewole described chess as a “tactical tool” to design the character of children, praising the organizers for focusing on team dynamics over specific performance.
Representing First Bank of Nigeria, Olayinka Ijabiyi highlighted the bank’s commitment to community financial investment, describing the individuals as “young grandmasters in waiting.”
He kept in mind that the bank’s sponsorship intends to develop the psychological and strategic capabilities needed for future leadership.
The 2026 edition will reward the top 10 schools, guaranteeing that the impact of the 10 million prize fund is felt throughout a broader variety of universities.