Introduction
Okhipo Bartholomew Emmanuel, more commonly known in the Nigerian chess scene by his online username ‘Master Muzan’ displayed an impressive performance at the January edition of Chess Heights Abuja hot off the heels of his National Chess Championship win in Lagos back in December.
The January edition of Chess Heights in the capital city had a stacked field of top players, including Othman Mustapha, who displayed one of the most impressive Chess performances in Nigeria in 2024 and has major tournament wins under his belt. Also playing at the tournament were Mandu Humphrey Yinalanah, Iyanda Femi, Ajuba Vasia, and female chess star and child prodigy Urieto, Kristen Ivie.
The January event also marked one of the rare tournament shows of popular social media chess journalist, Iwuagwu Williams who runs Chess Journals (by Xavier) and his 9-year old sister, Nkirukah iwuagwu. Xavier as he is more commonly known proved he’s as great at chess as he is at chess journalism. The event attracted 23 participants in total.
Early rounds of the tournament.
Round one pairing saw a massive upset with Otunubi Abraham Afolabi(1535) winning against a tournament favorite, Ajuba Vasia (1981). The remaining board result for the first round had the top players winning their games.
The second round also had an interesting pairing with Adoga Eche Christopher (1814) upsetting higher-rated Iyanda Femi(1971).
Round 2 had perhaps the most interesting tournament pairings as four players with perfect scores got to meet.
Board 1 had Adoga Eche Christopher who had in the prior round pulled an upset meeting with Othman Mustapha.
On the second board for the round, acclaimed Master Muzan faced the talented Mandu Humphrey Yinalanah (1933).
The lower boards also spotted some interesting pairings with Urieto Kristen Ivie (1529) against a higher-rated Okekedike Ogechukwu Gregory (1798) with the prodigy beating her higher-rated opponent.
Perhaps the most notable upset from the round was Ajuba Vasia losing against an unrated Olowolayemo Rotimi.
The tournament was getting heated by the end of the third round, with just three people remaining with perfect scores. Othman Mustapha won his board one match, Okhipo Bartholomew stayed true to his moniker of ‘Master’, and AFM Ogor A Anthony won his board 3 game against the popular journalist turned player, Iwuagwu Onyedikachi Williams, who had remained unbeaten up to this point.
Later rounds of the tournament
Round 4 featured upsets just like every other round before, with the highlight being the battle of generations in the second board, Othman Mustapha vs Urieto Kristen Ivie and the experienced master ultimately prevailing over the youngster. Master Muzan was on board one against AFM Ogor A Anthony.
The defining match of the tournament came in the fifth round with the two top seeds facing off. It was a battle of supremacy and potentially the title. Okhipo Bartholomew Emmanuel met off against Othman Mustapha with ‘MasterMuzan’, eventually getting the best of his opponent.
The lower boards also had a lot of action going on during the fifth round.
Master Muzan took the bull by the horns in the fifth round and didn’t let go. He finished with an unbeaten score of 7 points, no draws.
Like most editions, the final round had several players playing for a podium finish with Iyanda Femi losing against second seed, Othman Mustapha finishing second place, and the chess journalist who had spotted an impressive showing with one loss so far failing to find a clutch win against higher rated Mandu, Humphrey Yinalanah. A win that guarantees third place, eventually.
Another impressive performance from the event is 9-year old Nkirukah iwuagwu (pictured above) winning the U-14 prize in what was apparently her first chess height tournament outing.
Exclusive Interview with the Abuja Champion
The January edition of Chess Heights Abuja was a thrilling event, with players showcasing their strategic prowess and resilience. After the dust settled, I had the pleasure of speaking with the tournament champion, Okhipo Bartholomew Emmanuel, who shared insights into his chess journey, inspirations, and plans.
BD: What inspired you to play chess, and how long have you been playing?
Okhipo Bartholomew: I first learned how the pieces move around 2010, but I wouldn’t say I knew how to play chess then. My real chess journey began in 2014, which I consider the start of my chess career. Back then, I was in university, and like many students who didn’t come from wealthy backgrounds, I was looking for ways to earn some extra cash. Chess seemed like something I could dedicate myself to, and with effort, I believed it could be rewarding.
BD: How does it feel to have won the January edition of Chess Heights Abuja?
Okhipo Bartholomew: I feel incredibly happy because winning any tournament is never easy, no matter who the participants are. What makes this victory even more special is that it’s the first Chess Heights event I have ever won in my entire chess career. It’s a moment of pride for me, and hopefully, they’ll “let me” win more in the future.
BD: What’s the story behind your Lichess moniker, Master Muzan?
Okhipo Bartholomew: Haha, this is a funny question! I’m a huge anime fan, and I gravitate toward the villains. For example, in Naruto, I admire Madara, even though most people prefer Itachi and others. Then I discovered Demon Slayer, where the main antagonist is Muzan. In Japanese, they refer to him as Muzan-sama, which translates to Master Muzan. That’s how I came up with my Lichess ID.
BD: What’s your favorite chess opening, and why?
Okhipo Bartholomew: I don’t think I have a specific favorite opening, but I enjoy playing 1.d4. Beyond that, I can play a variety of openings—I guess it just depends on the situation.
BD: What’s next for you in Nigerian chess? Any upcoming tournaments or events?
Okhipo Bartholomew: My major goal is to play as many events as possible. I just love competing. Since I’m based in the northern region, my next planned event is in Minna, Niger State, provided work doesn’t interfere. Also, if Chess Heights organizes another edition in February, I’ll be there to compete.
Final Thoughts
Okhipo Bartholomew Emmanuel’s journey is a testament to the dedication and passion required to excel in chess. His story—from learning the game as a university student to winning his first Chess Heights title—serves as an inspiration to aspiring players. As he sets his sights on future tournaments, we look forward to seeing more of his brilliance on the board.
Stay tuned for more Chess Heights coverage and exclusive interviews!
More Pictures from the tournament below
