INTERVIEW With Nigerian Chess master Uwana Eugene

Eugene posing with a prize won at MTN/Festac Chess tourney

Hello Eugene ,Thank you for accepting to be interviewed by the Akinov Blog , after completing a treble wining three trophies consecutively) an Outstanding performance at which is said to be unprecedented a new record so to speak. Due to your recent successes winning a treble that is winning three tournaments in a row, namely the Presidents cup in Warri Delta state, Benin City Tournament and the Tournament in Festac town Lagos State thus making history, a lot of people are just getting to know you exist and are curious to know more about you.

AKINOV - Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?

EUGENE - i am from Akwa Ibom State,the third son out of a family of six. i got my first degree from university of Uyo and  later got my masters degree in Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-ife. (OAU) My Secondary school friend taught me d basics of Chess and during my pre -degree days,I meet chess players that were better than me and we use to play lots of games  during our leisure period.we use to do a lot of  'bloody' chess then because the better players were not ready to play with  you if  'blood ' some kind of bet/stakes is not involved ,.
AKINOV  -What got you attracted to chess, how did you start playing chess?
EUGENE- -my interest ignited in chess because, I love challenges and the chess board is full of  challenges. I love the madness and  Magic of Tal the legendary master,the creative reasoning and originality of Fisher and the powerful imagination of Gufeld.

Eugene being presented the first place trophy of the NCF presidents cup

AKINOV- As an upcoming player who was your chess idol/mentor? In Nigeria and also generally?
EUGENE - My idol is GM Garry kasparov and Gufeld n in nigeria I respect the games of all title players.
AKINOV- Do you still have a chess icon/mentor, who are you favorite players on the world scene?
EUGENE- Right now Vishy Anand is someone I respect in chess !

AKINOV- Please tell us a bit more about your “chess history” ?
EUGENE -I started chess in year 2000 and became active in 2003, i  started traveling long distances to different states to take part in chess tournaments.i won prizes in Bayelsa ,Enugu, kwara,Lagos and Akwa Ibom state.
I Played in National Sports festivals,WAUG West African University Games (won silver representing OAU) and in  NUGA i also won gold  representing  OAU,
AKINOV- -How did you get to the top in Nigerian Chess,  did you play in the
lower categories and how did you fare?
EUGENE- i started in NBL opens 2 then moved to opens 1 where I won second position twice before I won the first prize trophy.
I moved to Masters Category and  experienced some hard moments in the first two editions but finally i start winning prize money in the Masters section.

AKINOV- Obviously  many do not know you have paid your dues going through and winning trophies in the opens and was even prevented from playing in opens  one at a point at the NBL and was forced to play in the masters category that year  going through the same process that the likes of Femi Balogun went through  though the difference was that Femi Balogun made it into team Nigeria and became more popular until recently when you did well at the 2014 NBL and Lagos Classics having a good result against strong FIDE rated opponent and even defeating CM Bomo kigigha the current national champion on your way to getting your first FIDE rating of 2200. you are now Rated 2285 at the end of December 2014  second highest on the ranking list in Nigeria
What are you doing differently that brought about the rapid improvement in your tournament results?

EUGENE- I have always been busy during competitions,its either with   school or work but from June this year find a lot of time on my hands n decided to put it into chess.
There is nothing  as good as being free and at peace with your self no worries from school work friends  and family.it gives you a peace of mind to perform well.and you need good sponsors too.I believe that with a right sponsor and commitment from a player ,the world is his/her limit.you will definitely perform well.

AKINOV- Talking about your style (again) many call you Eugene ‘the wild’ do you consider your  self the wild one and how do you manage to keep the fire burning on board?


EUGENE- I love tactics n have a total disregard for material that is why ma friends call me the wild one and I believe in the aim of the game which is checkmating the enemy king.so anything that gets me closer to the king I go for it.
AKINOV- What gave you the edge in the last three tournaments you have won?
EUGENE- No real edge but but my strong determination to win and I have no worries as before and money on my  hands.
AKINOV- What about your most memorable chess moments?
EUGENE- My most memorable moment is when I defeated one of the people I respect in Nigerian chess-small B. FM Adebayo Adegboyega
AKINOV-What makes you stand out from other Nigerian chess players?  Eugene-My style n personality?
EUGENE- Some players say am very aggressive on board that "I no d carry eye see person king'
But as I said earlier tactics makes the work done faster although positional chess is the bedrock
AKINOV-How do you prepare for chess tournaments (Choice of opening/
training)?
EUGENE- 1.e4 for life according to the great Bobby fisher 'Best by test'
AKINOV- How often do you practice chess/train?
EUGENE- i do not really practice chess but believe in going for competitions believe in self  and your sacrifices over time will bring you out if you  don't give up
AKINOV- You are are a good blitz player, do you play blitz/blood  in between rounds or overnight  in major tournaments  many players play blitz/blood  till day break even when they know they have an important game the next day?

                                                Eugene (with White) vs CM Femi Balogun

EUGENE-As a rule I don't blood during competitions and I believe that discipline aids success
AKINOV- What effects do you think Blitz has on the game of an upcoming player  ?
EUGENE- Blooding disrupt your creative mind and could  make you play inferior moves you need to understand the game first before you start playing blitz.
AKINOV- Do you still read chess books?
EUGENE- I just skim through any book I see and I believe a lot in creative reasoning not so much in learning theory  by route
AKINOV-  If you do, What chess book (s) has helped you the most?
I solve puzzles from Books on chess puzzles,  fire on board by Alexis Shirov and books of Kasparov
AKINOV- How many moves can you calculate ahead?
EUGENE- I calculate at least 3-5 moves deep in any position but some positions demand deeper calculation so it depends on the position.
AKINOV- - What is your opinion about dealing (Game fixing) in Chess especially in Nigeria?
EUGENE- Game fixing should not be encouraged and our chess will improve  if dealing/ game fixing is put in check  completely

                                       Eugene ( Black) vs Victor Esan at Akure Chess club monthly tourney 
AKINOV-Do you think Physical training is important to chess?
EUGENE - Doing exercises help mental alertness
AKINOV - What is your favourite leisure activities, aside chess?-
EUGENE- Karate is one sport I love
AKINOV- you will agree with me that a very talented player who is hot at the moment needs to quickly get exposed  while he is hot , like it will be very nice seeing you  getting sponsored to  an international Tournament like Gibraltar tournament in January 2015-  What do you think?
EUGENE- I agree with the exposure of players while they  are in their prime
Chess Players working for  corporate bodies/Companies  should speak for us and help in promoting  game , i will be very happy to get a sponsor to enable me feature in more FIDE rated tournaments in Africa and around the world . it will be a very nice development as Genuine Talents  always a fertile ground for  for sponsorship which is bound to yield very good results.
AKINOV- -If you were to be given the role of a chess administrator today, what would you do to promote chess in Nigeria to make it a better sport?
EUGENE- As a Chess Administrator l will seek more sponsors.more competition and FIDE rated games inviting more rated players outside the country to boost our confident and encourage upcoming players
AKINOV- What advice do you have for upcoming Nigerian chess players?
EUGENE- For upcoming players-play more competitions,do a lot of home preparation and believe in your self
AKINOV - What is the best way of making chess more appealing to non-chess players and the public in general?

EUGENE-To make chess more appealing there have to be more sponsors and competition.more exposure for more people for instance chess-in-schools  programs is a good  start  for giving me d opportunity  to motivate upcoming players because I believe they are our future (GMs) Chess Grand Masters


AKINOV- on the behalf of the Akinov
chess/www.akinov.com I would like to thank you for answering all these
questions! May the good lord grant you good success  in 2015
We wish you good luck for your future pursuits.

EUGENE- Thank you.