A remarkable Nigerian teenager, Deborah Quickpen, has made history after emerging as the youngest Nigerian National Chess Champion.
At just 13 years old, Deborah has not only claimed the national title but has also become the highest-rated female chess player in Nigeria, defeating opponents twice her age to secure the prestigious crown.
Deborah's Story and How She Did It
Deborah’s journey to the top began from humble beginnings in Bayelsa State, where her parents struggled to pay her school fees, and she almost dropped out of school due to financial challenges.
Despite the difficulties, her passion and talent for chess began to shine early. She started playing chess at just three years old after being discovered by Bomo Kigigha, who has remained her coach and mentor.
Deborah began competing professionally at the age of five, when she participated in the NBA Chess Tournament in Lagos. And her exceptional talent quickly became evident.
In 2018, she represented Bayelsa State at the National Sports Festival, becoming the youngest athlete ever to compete in the festival’s history.
She later won three gold medals at the National Youth Games, making history by winning 18 out of 18 games.
“Chess is different from other sports because it makes me smart, intelligent, and stand out in everything I do,” Deborah said.
Deborah’s achievements soon gained international recognition. She won the African Youth Chess Championship in Accra, becoming the youngest Nigerian female player to earn the Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title.
At the age of 10, she was appointed Youth Ambassador for Sports by the governor of Bayelsa State, and her accomplishments did not stop there.
In 2023, Deborah achieved one of the biggest milestones of her career when she became Nigeria’s female national chess champion at just 11 years old, a record that could take decades to break.
Currently, she is ranked as the top female chess player under 12 in Africa and the third in the world.
She also delivered an impressive performance at the African Individual Chess Championship in Accra, where she stopped the winning streak of Jesse Nikki February and held Shahenda Wafa to a draw.
Despite her busy chess career, Deborah remains committed to her education. She is currently in JSS3 and has maintained excellent academic performance, even earning double promotion during her primary school years.
Her mother, Vera Quickpen, has played a major role in helping her balance both academics and chess. “She focuses on chess during holidays while taking her academics seriously during school hours,” her mother explained.
Deborah said two people inspire her the most: her mother and legendary chess champion Susan Polgar. “My mum has always been there for me and has sacrificed a lot to ensure I become who I am today,” she said.
Looking ahead, Deborah has ambitious goals. She hopes to become a chess Grandmaster, possibly the youngest in history, and also dreams of becoming a medical doctor and establishing her own chess foundation to help young children learn the game.
In 2025, Deborah was selected to represent Nigeria at the FIDE World Cup in Georgia, another major step in her rising global career.
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