Nigerian chess queen Deborah Quickpen treasures her experience at the FIDE Chess World Cup in Georgia, USA, where she represented Nigeria in the Girls U12 category.

The Bayelsa-born, who failed to make the podium, shared her thoughts in a statement while departing Georgia for Nigeria on Saturday, three days after the tournament was rounded off with the awarding of prizes to winners in the various categories.

She accompanied the statement with a video that showed her entering the departure lounge with disappointment written all over her face.

“It was a great experience, the first of its kind for me, one that I’ll hold dear for a long time.There are many lessons I’ve learned, and it can only get better from here as we prepare for the Olympiad in Hungary. The Chess World Cup in Georgia comes to an end, and I’m happy to have been here. Thank you, @fide.az. Thank you, Bantumi. Thank you, Georgia. Goodbye for now. See you soon, Nigeria,” wrote the current Nigerian national women’s champion and the youngest person to hold the title in Nigerian chess history.

China’s Xue Tianhao came in first in her category, Pratitee Bordoloi of India finished second, and Gunawardhana Oshini of Sri Lanka came in third in the Girls U12 category as winners crowned at the inaugural World Cup Under 8, 10, and 12, held in Batumi, Georgia, on July 3 after ten days of action.

Despite the participants’ young age, it was an intense and exciting competition, with chess prodigies battling it out until the very last moments to secure their positions in the final standings.

Hosted by Georgia’s premier seaside resort, Batumi, this unique-format tournament brought together 288 players from 37 countries. The champions and top finishers were awarded trophies, medals, and diplomas and received Apple gadgets as special prizes.