By Ijeoma Clare
On June 11, 2024, the chess world will witness a highly anticipated match between Nigeria’s foremost chess prodigy, 12-year-old Women’s Candidate Master Deborah Quickpen, and Guinness World Record holder Tunde Onakoya.
This three-hour encounter is expected to be a formidable challenge for Onakoya, who has faced numerous tough opponents but regards this as his hardest match yet. Onakoya has confidently stated that Deborah represents the future of chess in Nigeria.
Deborah Quickpen, hailing from a modest background in Bayelsa, has surmounted significant financial hurdles to pursue her passion for chess. Her parents struggled to afford her school tuition, nearly causing her to drop out owing to financial difficulties. However, her exceptional talent was discovered at the age of three by Nigeria’s current national champion, Bomo Kigigha, who has been her coach ever since.
Deborah’s achievements are remarkable. In 2018, she represented Bayelsa State at the National Sports Festival, becoming the youngest athlete ever to participate in the event’s history. She made history again by winning three gold medals at the National Youth Games, being the youngest person to achieve a perfect score of 18 out of 18 games. Her victory at the Under-10 African Youth Chess Championship in Accra, Ghana, earned her the Woman Candidate Master title, making her the youngest Nigerian female player to achieve this honor.
At just ten years old, she was appointed Youth Ambassador for Sports by Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri. In 2023, at the age of eleven, Deborah became Nigeria’s female national champion, setting a record that may stand for decades. She is currently the highest-ranked under-12 female chess player in Africa and the third in the world. Despite her chess commitments, Deborah maintains stellar academic performance, earning double promotions in primary school and currently excelling in JSS3.
Next month, Deborah will represent Nigeria at the FIDE World Cup in Georgia, marking her first appearance at this prestigious event. Onakoya is immensely proud of Deborah and honored to play her in this match, which serves as preparation for her World Cup appearance.
With the right financial support and visibility, Deborah Quickpen could become West Africa’s first chess grandmaster. She is young, driven, and hardworking. Onakoya calls for support for this incredible talent, likening her journey to that of the fictional character in “The Queen’s Gambit.”
As the match date approaches, the chess community and fans eagerly await this exciting showdown between a rising star and a seasoned champion
On June 11, 2024, Nigeria’s 12-year-old chess prodigy, Women’s Candidate Master Deborah Quickpen, will face Guinness World Record holder Tunde Onakoya in a highly anticipated three-hour match. Onakoya sees this as his toughest match and believes Deborah represents the future of Nigerian chess.
Deborah, from Bayelsa, overcame financial challenges to pursue chess, discovered at age three by her coach, Nigeria’s national champion Bomo Kigigha. Her accomplishments include being the youngest athlete at the National Sports Festival, winning three gold medals at the National Youth Games with a perfect score, and earning the Woman Candidate Master title in 2018.
At ten, she became Bayelsa's Youth Ambassador for Sports, and at eleven, she became Nigeria’s female national champion. Deborah is now the highest-ranked under-12 female chess player in Africa and third worldwide. She balances her chess career with academic excellence, currently excelling in JSS3 after multiple double promotions in primary school.
Deborah will represent Nigeria at the FIDE World Cup in Georgia next month, marking her debut at this major event. Onakoya is proud of Deborah and calls for financial support to help her become West Africa’s first chess grandmaster, comparing her journey to "The Queen’s Gambit."
The chess community eagerly awaits this match, showcasing the rising star against a seasoned champion.
