History was made in Abuja as Nigeria’s 14-year-old Ekunke Odey Goodness emerged as the inaugural champion of the FIDE World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship 2026, scoring an impressive 9/11. The young Nigerian produced a remarkable performance against a strong field to claim the historic title, finishing ahead of two experienced compatriots, FM Eugene Ekpoikong Unwana and FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha, who were second and third, respectively, with 8½ points each. The championship, organised by FIDE and the Nigeria Chess Federation in Abuja, was played over 11 rounds with the time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment. Sambo’s sensational rise and dramatic fall One of the most compelling stories of the championship was the rise of 17-year-old Joseph Sambo, who produced a se