The Chess Heights Niger July 2025 tournament has officially wrapped up after six well-contested rounds. With 13 players participating, the event offered a balanced and competitive experience, producing a clear winner while giving all players opportunities to grow through practical, over-the-board play.
Alamin Kasali Dominates the Field
Alamin Kasali emerged as the outright winner with a perfect 6.0/6 score. Consistent and calm under pressure, he won every round, defeating several of the top contenders along the way. His performance reflected not only good form but a superior understanding of positional play and endgame technique. He finishes the event undefeated and unchallenged at the top.
Abdulraheem Ajibola Finishes Second
Close behind was Abdulraheem Ajibola Abdullahi, who scored 5.0/6. His only loss came in Round 3 against the eventual winner, but his other games were clean and controlled. Abdulraheem showed strong command in all phases of the game and proved himself one of the most technically consistent players in the tournament.
Tight Race for Third
The third-place position was closely contested. Abdullahi Mohammed Kinta and Abdulsalam Kasali both ended on 4.0 points, with Abdullahi edging ahead on tiebreaks thanks to key wins in the later rounds. They were followed closely by Abubakar Atiku (3.5), who played solidly throughout but fell just short of the podium after a tough loss in Round 4 and 5.
Mid-Table Highlights
Several players finished with 3.0 points, including Mohammed Ibrahim Olaitan, Chukwuemeka Okwor, Samotu Moshood Bashir, and Garba Makama Mohammed. All four showed flashes of strong play, particularly in the middle rounds, and will be players to watch in future events.
Egena Ayokunle finished with a respectable 2.5 points, while others like Shammah El-Kana, Mustapha Olamide, and Jibrin Lemu each earned hard-fought wins along the way.
A Strong Event
Overall, the tournament was well-organized, and the players conducted themselves with focus and sportsmanship. For many participants, this was a valuable learning experience, and the steady level of competition across all rounds speaks to the growing strength of the local chess scene in Minna.
As the final scores are tallied, one thing is clear: Chess Heights Niger has made space for new talents to emerge — and they’ve taken their chance.
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