Ofowino Toritsemuwa has been crowned the 2024 Nigeria Women’s National Chess Champion at the recently concluded National Chess Championship held at the Orchid Hotel in Lekki. The tournament marked a milestone in Toritsemuwa’s chess journey, which began in 2012 when she competed in her first national event.

Toritsemuwa demonstrated remarkable skill throughout the competition, securing eight consecutive victories before being narrowly defeated by Onoja Joy, who ultimately finished in third place.

Undeterred by the setback, Toritsemuwa bounced back in her next match to clinch the championship title. Her dominance extended beyond the main event as she also claimed the Speed Chess crown, winning the Jonathan Odega National Women’s Blitz Chess Championship.

This year, Toritsemuwa has showcased impressive consistency, recording 47 wins, 10 draws, and 12 losses across 69 games. Her achievements as the National Champion come with prize money and an all-expenses-paid trip to represent Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Chess Championships in Botswana. There, she aims to make history as the first Nigerian woman to win the Continental Grand Championship and earn the prestigious Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title.

Not far behind was 11-year-old chess prodigy Nwankwo Michelle, who secured second place with 8/11 points. Michelle, who began playing chess at the age of six, has quickly become a rising star in Nigerian chess.

In addition to her prize money, the young talent will receive support from the Chess Federation to participate in the 2025 West Africa Chess Championships, where she will compete against the region’s best.