For Mercy Iliya, chess began at school.

At first, it was simply something she was curious about and wanted to try. But as she played more, she discovered that the game offered far more than moving pieces across a board.

She began entering tournaments, becoming more competitive and, importantly, wanting to understand the game better.

“I started getting more competitive, playing tournaments and wanting to understand why I was winning or losing,” Mercy says. “Eventually, chess became something I genuinely wanted to get better at, not just something I played for fun.”

That curiosity has since developed into a serious competitive journey, one that has taken her from school chess to the international stage.

A journey measured in more than medals

Mercy describes her journey as a “rollercoaster” — a mixture of wins, losses, medals, difficult tournaments and memorable ones.

But what stands out is what chess has given her along the way.

“I’m grateful for the journey because every stage has taught me something,” she says.

The game has also introduced her to people and taken her to places she might never have experienced otherwise.

And in 2026, one of those experiences became a major highlight of her career.

Two bronze medals in Abuja

At the 2026 FIDE World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Championships in Abuja, Mercy won bronze medals in both the rapid and blitz events.

“Being able to compete on that stage and come away with medals meant a lot to me,” she says.

For a player who began by simply trying chess at school, standing on the podium at a world championship represented a significant moment in her development.

Yet Mercy’s approach to competition isn’t defined solely by medals. Some of her most memorable tournaments have been the ones where she had to continue fighting after difficult starts.

For her, those experiences have reinforced an important lesson about competitive chess: skill matters, but so does the ability to stay engaged with the game when things become difficult.

More than a tournament

That connection between competition and community is also central to what Chess Heights Gombe means to Mercy.

“Chess Heights Gombe means a lot because it represents the growth and future of chess in Gombe.”

She enjoys seeing players come together to compete, learn and enjoy the game. And when asked what she enjoys most about the local chess community, her answer is characteristically brief:

“The people. 😂”

She explains that chess in Gombe has a strong sense of community.

“You can be fighting someone over the board one minute and laughing with them immediately after the game.”

For Mercy, that atmosphere matters. So does watching new players discover the game and improve.

“There’s a lot of potential here, and it’s always nice being around people who genuinely love the game.”

Her connection to Chess Heights Gombe goes back beyond the latest spotlight. In January 2025, Mercy was among the players competing in the Gombe event, opening with a win over Taylor Yusuf before drawing Yakubu Daniel Musa on the top board in round three.

Building the next generation

Mercy sees plenty of talent in Gombe, but believes more opportunities are needed for that talent to develop.

“We have talented players and people who genuinely want to play, but we need more tournaments, more opportunities for young players, more support and more consistent activities.”

For her, increasing participation is key.

“I’m particularly excited about getting more people involved because the talent is there. We just need to create the environment for that talent to grow.”

It is a view that connects her own ambitions with the future of the game in the state.

Working on the details

Mercy’s own preparation is built around the fundamentals of competitive improvement.

She studies openings, analyses previous games, works on tactics and plays practice games. The practical side of preparation is particularly important to her.

“There’s a difference between knowing something and actually being able to apply it over the board.”

Her current goal is to become a more complete player, with particular attention to calculation, positional understanding and consistency, especially in longer games.

The ambitions are clear: improve her rating, compete at bigger national and international tournaments, win more major titles and eventually compete consistently with the very best players.

But she also wants her progress to have an impact beyond her own results.

“I want younger players to have opportunities that I didn’t always have and to see that you can actually take chess seriously and go somewhere with it.”

Making room at the board

For young players in Gombe — and particularly girls considering taking chess seriously — Mercy’s advice is direct.

“Don’t let anyone make you feel like chess isn’t for you.”

She encourages young players to compete against stronger opponents, learn from their games and continue developing without waiting until they feel like the strongest player in the room.

And for girls entering a game that can sometimes feel male-dominated, she has an equally clear message:

“Take your space. Be confident. Study the game and compete.”

“You belong on that board just as much as anyone else.”

From a school environment where she first discovered chess to two bronze medals at the 2026 FIDE World Amateur Championships, Mercy Iliya’s story is one of steady development, competitive ambition and a growing commitment to the chess community around her.

For Gombe, she hopes the future brings more players, more competitions and more opportunities to discover just how much potential exists on the state’s chessboards.