The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has pledged to sponsor the education and welfare of eight year old chess player Emmanuella Omoragbon after making the ceremonial opening move at the Royal Rapid Chess Classic 2026 in Benin City, Edo State. According to The Guardian Nigeria, the monarch played an exhibition game against the young competitor at his palace on Saturday, 17 October, as part of activities marking his 10th coronation anniversary. Following the game, the Oba declared Emmanuella a child of the palace and directed palace officials to monitor her progress in chess, education and general welfare, extending royal support to a promising young talent.
The tournament attracted 126 players from 10 states, according to The Guardian and The Source, with competitors participating across age groups and the open category. Emmanuella, a primary school pupil, is the daughter of Doris Omoragbon, a national chess champion and senior player with the Edo State Sports Commission. The monarch also presented ₦2 million to participating chess players and visiting students from Edo College, while Emmanuella’s mother received ₦250,000. The event combines competitive chess with youth development, bringing together players from across Nigeria to compete for cash prizes and recognition during the anniversary celebrations.
The overall winner of the open category is set to receive ₦350,000, with additional prizes for runners-up and competitors in the under-20, under-14 and under-10 divisions. According to The Nigerian Observer, the competition is part of a broader programme celebrating the monarch’s decade on the throne, with the organisers seeking to promote chess as a tool for strategic thinking, concentration and decision-making. The Oba also promised additional royal prizes and souvenirs crafted from Benin bronze for the winners. His commitment to Emmanuella places a spotlight on the role of institutional and community support in nurturing young sporting talent, particularly when access to training, education and sustained mentorship can determine how far promising players progress.
