At just 12 years old, Deborah Quickpen has firmly established herself as a formidable force in the chess world. With a string of remarkable achievements under her belt, she is currently the No. 1 female chess player in Nigeria and holds the fourth position in Africa across all female age groups. Deborah’s journey from a humble background in Bayelsa State to becoming the youngest National Women’s Chess Champion in Nigerian history is a testament to her incredible talent, determination, and resilience.
Deborah’s passion for chess was ignited at the tender age of three when she was discovered by Nigeria’s national champion, Bomo Kigigha, who saw immense potential in her and took on the role of her coach. Despite facing financial hardships that nearly forced her to drop out of school, Deborah’s unwavering dedication to the game led her to unparalleled success.
Her early achievements include representing Bayelsa State at the National Sports Festival in 2018, where she became the youngest athlete in the event’s history. She continued to make waves by winning three gold medals at the National Youth Games, achieving a flawless victory in 18 games. Deborah’s prowess was further recognized when she clinched the Under-10 African Youth Chess Championship in Accra, Ghana, earning the title of Woman Candidate Master.
At just 10 years old, Deborah was appointed Youth Ambassador for Sports by Bayelsa State Governor Sen Douye Diri. The following year, she shattered records by becoming Nigeria’s female national champion at age 11. Today, she is the highest-ranked under-12 female chess player in Africa and holds the third spot worldwide. Her academic excellence is equally impressive, as she maintains stellar performance in JSS3, having earned double promotions in primary school.
Next month, Deborah will represent Nigeria at the FIDE World Cup in Georgia, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning career. With adequate financial support and increased visibility, she has the potential to become West Africa’s first chess grandmaster, driven by her indomitable spirit of determination and excellence.
The Nigerian chess community is eagerly anticipating a historic event on Tuesday, June 11th, 2024, in Lagos. Deborah Quickpen will face off against Tunde Onakoya, a seasoned Guinness World Record holder and founder of Chess In Slums Africa (CISA). Tunde recently captured global attention by playing the longest chess marathon, lasting 60 hours nonstop in New York City’s Times Square. As a champion and advocate for child education, his accomplishments continue to inspire many.
This much-anticipated match between Deborah and Tunde promises to be a thrilling encounter, highlighting the incredible talent and potential within the Nigerian chess scene.
