INTRODUCTION TO HIVE
Hello Hive Community!
I’m new here and would love to start by appreciating my good friend 
I believe Hive is a great opportunity for me to grow, connect with inspiring people, and truly engage with a vibrant, supportive community. I’m excited for the journey ahead and can’t wait to interact with all of you! Thanks to 
ABOUT ME
My name is Tennyson, and I’m currently in my fourth year at university, pursuing a degree in Software Engineering. In the beginning, the course felt quite intuitive and manageable, but as I progressed, it became increasingly challenging and demanding. Despite the difficulties, I’ve learned to adapt, stay focused, and continue performing well academically.
As a passionate chess player, I’ve had to make the tough decision to put the game on hold at various points in order to prioritize my studies. Balancing both chess and academics has proven to be a significant challenge, but my commitment to earning this degree remains strong. I’m fully dedicated to achieving this goal and making the most of this academic journey.
My Chess Journey: FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO INTERNATIONAL MASTER
I was introduced to the game of chess in 2016 through my first chess teacher, Mrs. Abolade, who visited my school with the goal of discovering young talents. At the time, I had no knowledge of the game, but seeing that many of my friends already played, I was driven by a desire to catch up and eventually surpass them. This motivation sparked a deep commitment to mastering the game. I played against anyone I could… friends, computers, and my coach, until I earned the reputation of being the best chess player in my school.
Initially, my parents were not supportive of the amount of time I dedicated to chess. However, their perspective changed after I was selected to represent my state (Delta) at the 2017 National Youth Games, where I won a team gold medal. That moment was a turning point, they began to see the potential and possibilities that chess could offer me.
In 2018, I went on to win the OSFI Board Games U-15 Championship held at EKO Hotels, Lagos, with a perfect 7/7 score, defeating some of the strongest young players in the country. That tournament made me realize I wasn’t just good, I could truly pursue chess at the highest level. Since then, I have tried to dedicate myself to the pursuit of excellence, knowing the journey would be long and difficult.
Some of the most defining moments of my chess career include:
• 3rd Place Finish at the 2023 Nigerian National Chess Championship, competing against the best players in the country.
• Representing Nigeria in the 2021 and 2023 African Junior Chess Championships in Liberia and Mauritania, respectively. Although I didn’t perform as I hoped, the experience was invaluable and helped shape my development.
• Dozens of other tournaments and accolades, too many to list, each one contributing to my growth as a player and as a person.
After years of dedication, challenges, and setbacks, I achieved a major milestone in April 2025 by becoming an International Master (IM). I earned the title after winning the first-ever African Super Zonals Chess Championship hosted in Lagos, Nigeria. Interestingly, I almost didn’t qualify for that tournament. At the qualifying stage, I was on 4/6, having lost two games, and was paired against IM Ortega Mariano, the highest-rated player in West Africa. Lacking confidence after my previous loss, I entered the game with little hope, but during the course of the match, I resolved to rewrite my story. I fought hard and secured a win.That victory reignited my fire. I went on to win the rest of my games and finished 2nd, earning my spot in the Super Zonals, where I ultimately emerged champion.
The journey has been anything but easy. Life and chess have tested me countless times, but each test has pushed me closer to my goals. While I know I haven’t reached the top yet, I believe I’m getting close, and I’m more committed than ever to continuing this pursuit. There’s still so much to accomplish, and I hope to keep the fire burning for many years to come.
In Conclusion
I’m excited to connect, share ideas, play chess, collaborate, and build meaningful projects with the Hive community. There’s so much we can create together, and I look forward to growing, learning, and contributing alongside passionate minds over time.
Thanks for reading my post