Osayande Kingsley Osayuwame’s Chess Journey: Setbacks and Comebacks

Player Story · Nigeria · Told in the contributor’s own words and edited by Afro Rook for clarity.

Osayande Kingsley Osayuwame began his chess journey in 2021. He first noticed a chessboard at his cousin’s house. Today, he looks back on his first FIDE rating, difficult tournament results and an unbeaten return to form.

This story is based on Kingsley’s personal account. The rating and tournament details are presented as he reported them when he submitted it. Ratings can change; readers can check current official ratings in the FIDE ratings database.

How Osayande Kingsley Osayuwame discovered chess

My chess journey began in 2021, when I saw a chessboard at my cousin’s house. At first, I thought chess was just another board game, like Ludo or Whot. I did not know it would become such an important part of my life.

Everything changed after I watched Queen of Katwe. The film showed me that chess could mean more than moving pieces across a board. As a result, I wanted to learn. I began looking for a chess club near me in Benin City, Nigeria.

That search led me to Master P, founder of Swallow of the Skies Academy. He was coaching at the University of Benin (UNIBEN). He gave me books and learning materials, which helped me understand the game more deeply.

I also started playing with Denye, Kikosem Ernest and iDara. Those early games helped me build a foundation. Looking back, I see how much those players contributed to my development.

Learning the game and earning my first FIDE rating

My first classical tournament was the South West event in Osogbo, Osun State, in 2022. Then, in 2023, I received my first FIDE rating: 1,498.

Honestly, I felt discouraged at first. However, my coach, Master P, told me not to worry about the number. Over time, I began to treat it as motivation instead of a limit.

I started challenging higher-rated opponents more often. Win or lose, those games gave me a chance to learn. Still, confidence alone was not enough. I had to work consistently.

I read the books my coach gave me and visited the chess club regularly. I also played classical games against stronger players, including Kikosem, Calistus, Ernest and others in the UNIBEN chess community. I am grateful that they gave their time to play with me.

Recording my games became one of my most useful habits. After each game, I took the moves home and analysed them. I looked for mistakes and tried to understand what I could have done better. That way, I could learn from every game instead of simply moving on.

Gradually, my work began to pay off. I reached a live rating of 2,124. My official rating was 2,039 when I submitted this story. By October 2025, I had reached 2,123, according to my account.

Two painful setbacks in my chess journey

Not every part of my journey has been successful. Some of my hardest lessons came from moments that hurt.

In 2025, I came close to qualifying for the National Chess Championship. My final-round game against Tyowase Collins decided everything. I had a winning advantage of about seven points, but I failed to turn it into a win. It was heartbreaking because I knew how close I had come.

Then came 2026. My results suffered, and my rating fell to 1,987. At the same time, I was preparing for my JAMB examinations. Balancing school and competitive chess became difficult.

Another disappointment came at a Cyntoco event. The winner would receive sponsorship to either the African Junior Chess Championship or the World Junior Chess Championship. Nine junior players and one wild-card entrant took part. There was only one sponsorship place.

I scored three points out of nine and finished ninth. That hurt because I was not playing only for a tournament result. I was also hoping for a chance to represent my country internationally.

Missing the National Championship opportunity in 2025 and then finishing ninth at the Cyntoco event in 2026 forced me to face a difficult truth: hard work does not always bring the result you hope for. Even so, I was not ready to give up.

August 2026: finding my confidence again

In August 2026, I was preparing to represent Lagos State at the National Intermediate Games. We had a two-week chess training camp. The Games were later postponed, but the camp had already helped me.

After months of disappointing results and falling ratings, I could focus on chess again. I trained intensively and began to regain my confidence.

“Honestly, I felt as though those two weeks brought me back to life as a chess player.”

Osayande Kingsley Osayuwame

The camp reminded me that setbacks do not erase the work I have already done. Sometimes, the right environment and proper preparation can help a player believe in himself again. For me, the camp marked the beginning of a comeback.

An unbeaten comeback at two Nigerian tournaments

After the camp, I competed at the South East Classics. I finished tied for second and did not lose a game. Next, I played at the South West Zonals. I tied for first and again finished unbeaten.

Those results meant a lot to me. My rating had fallen to 1,987, and I had missed opportunities that mattered. However, I was beginning to see my work pay off again. I was finding my rhythm and rebuilding the confidence I had lost.

My chess journey has taught me that progress is rarely a straight line. Sometimes you improve; sometimes you fall. The important thing is to learn, recover and keep moving forward. Those tournaments reminded me that one setback does not have to end your story.

What chess means to me—and the dream ahead

For me, chess is more than a game or a rating. It helps me travel, explore different cultures and connect with people I might not otherwise meet.

Like many Nigerian chess players, I dream of becoming a Grandmaster. I would love Nigeria to produce its first Grandmaster, and I hope to help make that dream a reality.

I also want my journey to mean more than personal achievements. Master P gave me guidance, books and chances to learn. The players who spent time playing classical games with me also helped me grow.

In the future, I hope to support younger players, as IM Toco is doing with juniors. I know how much guidance and encouragement can mean to a developing player. Therefore, I would like to give back to chess in the same way.

My journey is still unfolding. I have made progress, faced painful disappointments and questioned myself. Yet chess continues to give me reasons to keep going. I began in 2021 as someone who thought chess was just another board game. Today, it helps me challenge myself, meet people, explore the world and dream bigger.

I still have a long way to go. I hope that one day my story will be about more than how far I went as a player. I also hope it will be about the people I inspired along the way.

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