From looking forward to playing stronger opponents to reflecting on a six-move checkmate, Awolowo Joseph shares his expectations before the October Chess Heights tournament and what he took away from the experience in this two-part interview.
For Joseph, improvement comes from playing. He enjoys testing himself against stronger opponents, believes he has made progress since returning to chess, and knows there is still plenty of work ahead.
Ahead of the October edition of Chess Heights Lagos, we spoke with Joseph about his chess journey, his development, and what he hoped to achieve. After the tournament, we caught up with him again to reflect on his performance and what he learned from the experience.
Before the Tournament
Chess Heights: Tell us a little about yourself and your chess journey. How did you get started, and where are you currently with your chess?
Awolowo Joseph: I learnt how to play in primary school. There was a guy, Korede, who taught me. He introduced me to this really bad opening setup that had no name, but it was effective in the beginning. Of course, at some point, it stopped working.
I stopped playing chess for years. In secondary school, there was a club, but it was always packed because almost everyone was there. It wasn’t because they wanted to play chess; it was because all the other clubs that took place every Monday were very strict, with teachers everywhere. In chess club, it was only students, so we mostly gisted. The few boards available were taken by the seniors.
The only memory I can recall of playing was during inter-house sports. I was playing a junior and was up so much material that I thought, “How can I lose this game?” But I ended up getting checkmated because of problems with my back rank.
After that, I wasn’t playing chess until I joined university. One day, I came out of the hostel to buy food at a restaurant on campus and saw Chief Whales and some people playing. I walked up to them and requested to play, which they were open to. From there, time flies, and here we are.
As for where I am with my chess, I honestly don’t know. I just play and train a bit.
Chess Heights: We played and drew back in early 2025. Since then, you’ve made significant progress. How would you describe your journey from that game to where you are now?
Awolowo Joseph: It’s always interesting after I play tournaments because I just feel like I improve after every one. So I’ve just tried to play more, and that’s basically all.
Chess Heights: What do you think has contributed most to your improvement since then?
Awolowo Joseph: When I go to tournaments and see people who are really good, and I end up losing to them, it motivates me. It’s because of that I’m here.
Chess Heights: What has been the biggest change in your game?
Awolowo Joseph: My concentration levels. They’ve improved drastically. I’m able to concentrate more, so it has enabled me to play better, in my opinion.
Chess Heights: What are you currently working on to take your chess to the next level?
Awolowo Joseph: You know, as they say, calculation plays a huge role in chess, so it’s something I’m trying to improve on, along with other areas of the game.
Chess Heights: The tournament is tomorrow. How are you feeling going into it?
Awolowo Joseph: I’m feeling good and positive, like I do before every tournament. I’m always looking forward to playing the high-rated players.
Chess Heights: What are you hoping to achieve in this edition?
Awolowo Joseph: To be as close to the top as possible.
Chess Heights: Is there a particular player you’re looking forward to facing?
Awolowo Joseph: No, not really. As long as my opponent is really good and we have an interesting game.
Chess Heights: What would make you look back at tomorrow’s tournament and feel that you’ve had a successful day?
Awolowo Joseph: Again, being as close to the top as possible and getting a few decent wins.
After the Tournament
Chess Heights: Now that the tournament is over, how would you assess your performance? Did you achieve what you set out to achieve?
Awolowo Joseph: My goal was to finish as close to the top as possible. I was close, but it could have been better.
Chess Heights: Was there a particular game that stood out to you during the tournament? What made it memorable?
Awolowo Joseph: I played a few decent games. I was happy with my round-two game; it was by far the most interesting game I played. But the most memorable, without mentioning names, was when my opponent got checkmated in six moves. It was just strange.
Chess Heights: What was the biggest lesson you took away from this edition of Chess Heights?
Awolowo Joseph: Honestly, there was none. I just showed up and played chess.
Chess Heights: Compared with your previous appearances, do you feel you’ve improved? In what aspects of your game have you noticed the most progress?
Awolowo Joseph: In general, I know I have improved, and there’s still a long way to go, which is exciting to me.
Chess Heights: Chess Heights provides players with regular opportunities to compete. How important has that consistency been to your development as a chess player?
Awolowo Joseph: Well, I’m trying to be consistent, so we shall see.
Chess Heights: Was there anything about this edition that you particularly enjoyed or think could have been better?
Awolowo Joseph: Hopefully, next time, more money at stake.
Chess Heights: What do you think tournaments like Chess Heights contribute to the local chess community, especially for developing and junior players?
Awolowo Joseph: It serves as an opportunity for players to come and show off what they have been learning and prove themselves.
Chess Heights: What’s next for you after this tournament? Are there specific goals you’re working towards before the next edition?
Awolowo Joseph: What’s next is going back to school, oh.
Chess Heights: If you could take one thing from this tournament into your next competition, what would it be?
Awolowo Joseph: Sleep properly the night before.
One Tournament at a Time
Joseph went into Chess Heights hoping to finish near the top and come away with a few good wins. His assessment afterwards was measured: he came close, but felt he could have done better.
His answers reveal a player who is still figuring things out. He sees improvement in his concentration, draws motivation from stronger opponents, and is working to sharpen his calculation. He isn’t claiming to have mastered the process; he simply wants to keep playing.
For Joseph, tournaments provide an opportunity to test what he has learned and prove himself over the board. He also recognises that there is still a long way to go, and rather than seeing that as discouraging, he finds it exciting.
His immediate plans after the tournament were less ambitious: he was heading back to school.
And when asked what he would take from this edition into his next competition, he offered perhaps the most relatable answer of the interview: get enough sleep before you play.
For now, Joseph’s chess journey continues one tournament at a time. He knows he has improved, knows there is more work to do, and remains willing to sit across the board from stronger opponents to find out just how far he can go.