The finals of the Ghana National Chess Championship, two 10-player round-robin tournaments (Open and Ladies sections), were held over five days from December 26-30 at the Media Center of the Accra Sports Stadium. The lineup included the top 5 highest-rated players in both sections and the top 5 finishers in the qualifying stage that took place from November 12-14, 2021.

Open Section

Dr Kwabena Adu-Poku, also known as BN146, won the open category and his first national title in grand style, completing the event unbeaten. He finished the tournament with an impressive 7½ out of 9, a full point ahead of the favourite and the silver winner FM John Hasford whom he beat in the direct encounter.

The young medical doctor is quite famous in Ghanaian chess circles thanks to his constant efforts to promote chess with his YouTube channel, which he runs with Bernard Anhwere (pictured below), who came in third in the championship.

The tournament also saw a few major upsets as defending champion IM Francis Eric Anquandah and many-time member of the national team CM Jamena Joseph Mensah ended up in 7th and 10th positions, respectively. Both did not make it to the Ghana National Chess Team (The Golden Knights).

Final standing open:

Ladies Section

WCM Tobi Abena Felix won the National Women’s Chess Championship for the fifth consecutive time and proved her dominance by scoring 8½/9 (making a draw in the final round).

Maud Benson (pictured below) came in second with 7½ points after losing only to Tobi and drawing newcomer Tiwaa Abena Appau who finished 5th and qualified for the national team (The Golden Knights)

Dzidzor Esi Dotse, the only player to hold Tobi to a draw, finished third with 6½/9.

Final standings women:

The Golden Knights

The top 5 players in both the opens and ladies’ sections earn a spot on the Ghana National Chess Team (The Golden Knights).

Text: Maxwell Kwasi Kporxah

Photo: Ghana Chess Association