The 2023 Ghana National Chess Championship Finals, two 10-player round-robin tournaments (Open and Ladies sections), were held over five days from December 26-30 at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra. The top 5 highest rated players in both sections, as well as the top 5 finishers in the first Phase (Qualifiers), which was held from December 1 – 3, participated in the competitions.
Open Section
The top seed and defending champion, CM Kwabena Adu-Poku, put up a great performance, scoring 7/9 and winning his third straight national title. Multiple-time national Champion FM John Hasford finished in second place, half a point behind (6.5/9), and became the only participant to defeat the champion. Clinton Cephas Fomevor clinched the bronze with 5.5 points. IM Francis Anquandah and Bernard Anhwere and rising star Daniel Frempong-Smart tied for fourth place with the first two qualifying for the national chess team (the Golden Knights) thanks to better scores in direct encounters.
Ladies Section
It was a fairy tale ending in the ladies' category as newcomer Gertrude Banini delivered a remarkable performance, netting 8 out of 9 points and emerging National Women's Champion ahead of Zone 4.2 women's Champion Maud Benson and 5-time National Women's Champion WCM Tobi Felix. Zonal champion Maud finished half a point behind the champion to take second place, while the 5-time National champion Tobi clinched bronze with 6.5 points.
The Golden Knights
The top 5 players in both the open and ladies' sections earn a spot on the Ghana National Chess Team (The Golden Knights) and get to represent Ghana at the 45th World Chess Olympiad and the 13th African Games.
By Maxwell Kwasi Kporxah, Ghana Chess Association
