Chess For Social Impact celebrates International Chess Day with Fundraiser for Nigeria's chess prodigy Olisa
To mark International Chess Day, Chess for Social Impact, a flagship of Mendlife Global Foundation, on Sunday, hosted the Abuja Elite Chess Meetup, blending competition with a fundraiser for Nigeria’s rising chess star, Tennyson Olisa. The event, held at Cafe One, Sterling Bank Plaza, Abuja brought together top players, enthusiasts, and philanthropists to support chess as a tool for unity and empowerment. This year’s theme, “Every Move Counts,” reflected the game’s strategy and the importance of each step in a young athlete’s journey. Founder Oto-obong Mendie (Cassandra) said the event was more than a tournament; it was about transformation through chess. “We are here to celebrate chess as a force for change. This year, our focus is on helping Tennyson Olisa, who’s making Nigeria proud,” she said. Tennyson needs support for his journey to the FIDE Grand Swiss in Uzbekistan and the World Cup in India — a trip requiring around ₦54 million in total. The costs include visa trav...