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Nigerian chess prodigy Deborah Quickpen believes the National Youth Council recognition will spur her to a better performance at the FIDE Chess Olympiad to be held from September 10 to 23 in Dudapest, Hungary, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Bayelsa State chapter of the body honoured the 13-year-old with a plaque on Sunday, in recognition of her achievements in chess over the years.
“Thank you, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Bayelsa State chapter, for the recognition. This is a great motivation ahead of the Chess Olympiad in Hungary. Thank you for the support,” wrote Quickpen, who is ranked 41475 in the world.
Quickpen represented Nigeria in the Girls U12 category of the recent FIDE Chess World Cup in Georgia, USA, where she failed to make the podium. But she relished the experience in a video that showed her entering the departure lounge with disappointment written all over her face.
“It was a great experience, the first of its kind for me, one that I’ll hold dear for a long time. There are many lessons I’ve learnt, and it can only get better from here as we prepare for the Olympiad in Hungary. The Chess World Cup in Georgia comes to an end, and I’m happy to have been here. Thank you, Georgia. Goodbye for now. See you soon, Nigeria,” wrote the current Nigerian national women’s champion and the youngest person to hold the title in Nigerian chess history.
She should be looking to deliver a better performance at the FIDE-organised Chess Olympiad, a biennial chess tournament in which teams representing nations of the world co
The highly anticipated event is bringing together acclaimed heavyweights and rising stars, promising a showcase of chess brilliance from top-tier players from all across the globe.
The event will be another milestone in Hungary’s rich chess history. With 12 team medals from Chess Olympiads, Hungary is one of the most successful chess nations. Home to many great chess players, from Géza Maróczy to Andor Lilienthal and from Laszlo Szabo to Lajos Portisch, Andras Adorjan, Zoltan Ribli, and Peter Leko, including the most recognisable Hungarian chess marvels—the Polgar sisters (Judit, Susan, and Sofia)—it is no surprise that chess is at home in Hungary.
The Olympiad will take place at the BOK Sports Hall, one of Hungary’s most modern event centres that hosts over 120 events annually and can accommodate up to 10,000 people.
The event will welcome a team of refugees, as officially approved by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This groundbreaking decision aims to promote diversity and support displaced individuals, reinforcing chess as a tool for positive change.
As part of the event’s commitment to gender equality, the organisers and FIDE will seek to increase the
It will not only be a battleground for the world’s chess teams but will also feature other events, including cultural programs and events for children. Concurrently, the FIDE Congress will be hosted alongside the Olympiad, accompanied by marking 100 years since the formation of FIDE.
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