The much anticipat-ed second edition of Benin Chess Tournament began yesterday at the indoor sports hall, Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin City. The tournament will end December 19th.

Tournament director, Princess Omoyemwen Adeyinka-Afolabi confirmed that top chess players from across the country are participating at the tournament that is being sponsored by Seven Up bottling company, with the support of Edo State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Mobilization, Edo State Sports Council and many other corporate bodies.

She revealed that over two hundred chess players from across the country are competing in six categories.

Tagged “Oba’s Cup” the tournament is being organised by the Nigeria Chess Federation in collaboration with Sports Colony International as well as Edo State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Mobilization.

The five day event would feature competition in U- 5, U-10, U-14, U-16, Amateur

ladies and Maters cadre in which medals, trophies and prizes would be awarded to those who distinguish themselves at the event.

The winner in the masters category would cart home the sum of N80, 000; the second placed player

will receive N40, 000 while N20, 000 will go to the third position. Also the fourth and fifth place players will receive sum of N15, 000 and N10, 000 respectively.

Winner in the amateur /ladies cadre will receive N40, 000 for her effort; the second will receiveN20, 000 as the third is expected to go home with sum of N15, 000 while the fourth and fifth

placed players also receive N10, 000 and N5, 000 respectively.