The March edition of Chess Heights Ekiti lived up to its reputation for fierce competition and fast-paced drama. Nineteen players assembled under the 20 + 10 time control for a seven-round Swiss, but it was Alex Ayomide who outclassed the field with a flawless 7 / 7, capping off a day of sharp tactics, clutch time-scrambles, and a handful of key upsets.
Early Rounds (Rounds 1–3)
Round 1 set the tone immediately. On Board 1, Adebayo Malik handled Dada Oluwayanmife with an incisive central breakthrough, while Falana Daniel and Kolawole Oluwole stepped out of the pack with smooth wins. Meanwhile, Ibosiola Treasure produced the day’s first shock by outplaying Adeoba Demilade, and Alex Ayomide quietly joined the leaders by dispatching Oluwayemi Ayodeji.
In Round 2, Ayomide began to pull away, converting a complex middlegame to beat Falana Daniel and join Malik and Olajide Ademola on 2 / 2. Ademola himself impressed with a clinical performance over Pedro Isaac, and Oluwole maintained his perfect score against Babatola Akorede. A handful of upsets in the lower half kept the standings fluid.
By Round 3, the leaderboard featured a three-way tie at 3 / 3. Ademola edged Malik in a razor-sharp encounter on Board 1, while Ayomide stayed unbeaten by outplaying Bamilosin Mayoma in a tactical game. Oluwole’s steady form continued with a win over Adegoboye Emmanuel.
Middle Rounds (Rounds 4–5)
Round 4 delivered the day’s marquee clash: Ayomide vs. Oluwole on Board 1. Demonstrating deep opening preparation and unshakeable nerves in time pressure, Ayomide claimed a pivotal win to seize sole lead at 4 / 4. Elsewhere, Malik rebounded nicely against Babatola Akorede, and Adetunji David and Ibosiola Treasure notched key victories to remain in contention.
In Round 5, all eyes were on the game between unbeaten Ayomide and Ademola. Once again, Ayomide proved unflappable, converting a slight edge in a beautiful game to stretch his perfect score to 5 / 5. Behind him, Malik and Oluwole both scored convincing wins to stay half a point back, setting up a thrilling finish.
Later Rounds (Rounds 6–7)
Round 6 saw Ayomide consolidate his lead with a composed victory over Malik, moving to 6 / 6. Ayodeji and Oluwole both won their games, ensuring a tight chase for the runner-up spots.
When Round 7 arrived, Ayomide simply completed the job: a clinical win over Ibosiola Treasure sealed a perfect 7 / 7 and the championship trophy. Malik and Ademola each picked up a final-round victory to finish at 5 / 7, tying for second place, while Oluwole and Oluwayemi secured second with 5 / 7 as well.
Final Standings Highlights
- Champion: Alex Ayomide (7 / 7)
- Tied 2nd: Adebayo Malik (5 / 7), Olajide Ademola (5 / 7), Kolawole Oluwole (5 / 7), Oluwayemi Ayodeji (5 / 7).
Closing Thoughts
The Ekiti March tournament showcased everything that makes rapid chess exciting: quick tactical shots, time-scramble heroics, and a breakout performance by a rising star. Alex Ayomide’s perfect score under intense pressure marks him as a player to watch—can anyone halt his momentum at the April edition? Stay tuned for the next Chess Heights showdown!
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