In a historic event to raise awareness for chess in Nigeria, national women’s chess champion, Deborah Quickpen , faced Guinness World Record holder Tunde Onakoya in a thrilling match organised by Daniel Ford International (U.K) in Lagos. The match drew significant attention from the chess community and beyond, highlighting the talents of both players and their contributions to promoting the game in Nigeria.
Deborah Quickpen, fondly known as DebbyQuick, has become a sensation in the chess world. Her journey began at just three years old, with her professional career taking off at five during the NBA Chess Tournament in Lagos. Now 11, Deborah continues to impress with her skill and dedication, earning her the title of the new chess queen among fans.
The match against Onakoya, who is also the convener of Chess in Slums Africa and holder of the record for the longest marathon chess game, showcased Deborah’s resilience and talent. Despite trailing 4-1, she rallied to secure a 4-4 draw, a feat that garnered praise from fans and fellow chess enthusiasts. One Twitter user, @promotingqueensv, lauded her comeback, stating, “What a stunning turnaround by @deborahquickpen! From a 4-1 deficit to a 4-4 draw! Kudos to @Tunde_OD for fostering the growth of chess in Nigeria!” Similarly, engineer and chess lover Yitzhak Fish @OlaYitzhak24 commended her speed and skill, calling her “really quick like her name.
” Fashion designer Igbokwe Nonxo @IgbokweNonxo expressed his admiration fo.
