Chess Heights Monthly Lagos

Before the October edition of Chess Heights Lagos, Chikwendu Somto, who prefers to be called Chikky, had his eyes on winning the tournament. He knew the field would be competitive, though, and set himself a more realistic target of finishing in the top 15. He had been working on his opening preparation, solving puzzles, playing online, and preparing mentally for the fatigue that comes with tournament chess.

For Chikky, Chess Heights also holds a special place in his chess journey. It was the first over-the-board tournament he ever played, making each return an opportunity to compete, learn, and measure his progress against other players.

After the tournament, he was not entirely satisfied with his performance, but he recognised the experience as another opportunity to improve. A win against an ACM stood out, while the importance of staying calm under pressure became one of his biggest takeaways.

In this edition of Chess Heights Monthly: Before and After, we catch up with Chikky to revisit his expectations before the tournament and reflect on what he learnt afterwards.

Before the Tournament: Aiming High, Staying Realistic

Going into October’s edition, Chikky wanted to win. Beyond the result, however, he was focused on improving his preparation, managing his emotions, and staying composed even when a game started going against him. He also looked forward to facing familiar names and testing himself against some of the tournament’s stronger players.

Chess Heights: Tell us about yourself and how your chess journey began.

Chikky: I’m Chikwendu Somto, but preferably Chikky. I was born and raised in Lagos, and I’m honestly a really easygoing guy.

Chess Heights: What does Chess Heights mean to you?

Chikky: Chess Heights means a lot to me as a player. It was my first ever competitive over-the-board tournament, so it’s something I really can’t forget.

Chess Heights: How have you been preparing for this month’s tournament?

Chikky: The usual — puzzles, playing online games, and also trying to prepare mentally for fatigue. So I’ve been getting a lot of rest as well.

Chess Heights: What are you hoping to achieve in October Lagos’s Edition?

Chikky: I’m hoping to win, of course : ) who isn’t? But realistically, I’d be happy walking out with a top-15 finish.

Chess Heights: Is there a particular player you’re hoping to face?

Chikky: Yes, lots of them — Timothy, Brainy, Abiola Teniola…

Chess Heights: What’s one thing you’ve been working on in your chess recently?

Chikky: Honestly, just trying to stay calm and not lose hope, even when I’m in losing positions.

Chess Heights: What do you enjoy most about playing in Chess Heights?

Chikky: The competition is quite easy, convenient and flexible to get around. That’s what I like most about it. It’s also a very relaxed setting to play friendly-competitive chess.

Chess Heights: Chess Heights now brings players together across different states. What does that mean to you as a young player?

Chikky: It’s always a special feeling to play against someone you’ve never met before. So having players come from different states and getting the chance to meet and compete against them is really exciting.

Chess Heights: How far do you hope to take chess?

Chikky: I’ll keep playing chess till the day I’m gone, whether it’s for fun or competitively. For now, I hope to become a titled player one day.

Chess Heights: What would make you look back at this tournament and say, “That was a good day”?

Chikky: If I won the tournament, of course. Or even if I managed to beat one of those players I mentioned earlier.

After the Tournament: Learning to Handle the Pressure

The tournament did not quite deliver the result Chikky had hoped for, but it gave him more experience against strong opposition. He was particularly pleased with a victory against an ACM, a game that stood out because of the challenge it presented.

Beyond individual results, his reflections pointed to a broader lesson: chess is not only about preparation and knowing the right moves. Staying composed, managing emotions, and making sound decisions under pressure matter just as much.

Chess Heights: Now that the tournament is over, how would you assess your performance? Did you achieve what you set out to achieve?

Chikky: I wasn’t entirely satisfied with my performance, but I believe every tournament is an opportunity to learn. I’ll take the lessons from this edition and work towards coming back stronger.

Chess Heights: Was there a particular game that stood out to you during the tournament? What made it memorable?

Chikky: One game that stood out to me was the game I won against an ACM. It was memorable because it was a challenging game, and winning it was a nice feeling.

Chess Heights: What was the biggest lesson you took away from this edition of Chess Heights Lagos?

Chikky: One thing I learnt is that chess is also a mental game. It’s not just about knowing the moves; you also need to manage your emotions and stay focused throughout the game.

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?

Chikky: Yes, I believe I’ve improved. My opening preparation has become significantly better recently, and I feel more confident.

Chess Heights: Chess Heights provides players with regular opportunities to compete. How important has that consistency been to your development as a chess player?

Chikky: It’s been very important because the standard is high, so you get a better idea of where you stand as a player. It also gives you the opportunity to test what you’ve been working on and identify areas where you still need to improve.

Chess Heights: Was there anything about this edition that you particularly enjoyed or think could have been better?

Chikky: I think the tournament was very well organised. I particularly enjoyed the competitive atmosphere and the opportunity to play against strong opponents.

Chess Heights: What do you think tournaments like Chess Heights Lagos contribute to the local chess community, especially for developing and junior players?

Chikky: Tournaments like Chess Heights give players the opportunity to compete, learn and improve. They’re especially important for junior players like myself because they get to gain experience, face stronger opponents.

Chess Heights: What’s next for you after this tournament? Are there specific goals you’re working towards before the next edition?

Chikky: I’m looking forward to the next edition, and my goal is to improve my performance by at least a point. I’ll keep working on my weaknesses and preparing to compete at a higher level.

Chess Heights: If you could take one thing from this tournament into your next competition, what would it be?

Chikky: One vital lesson I’ve learnt is to stay calm under pressure. Sometimes, even when you know the right moves, pressure can affect your decisions, so I want to get better at staying composed in difficult positions.

The Journey Continues

For Chikky, the October edition of Chess Heights Lagos was another step in a journey that began with his first competitive over-the-board tournament. While he left without the level of satisfaction he wanted, he gained valuable experience and identified areas to keep working on.

His reflections also show how his approach to chess is developing. Better opening preparation has given him more confidence, but he recognises that improvement requires more than knowing what to play. The ability to stay composed when a position becomes difficult is another part of the game he wants to master.

With the next edition already in his sights, Chikky has set himself a clear target: improve his performance by at least a point. His ambition to become a titled player remains, and so does his commitment to chess, whether competitively or for fun.

For now, the focus is on learning from each tournament, working on his weaknesses, and returning stronger. The results matter, but so does the progress made along the way.