2024 Liberian National Chess Championship

The 2024 Liberian National Chess Championship has ended with Bobby Ballah winning the event with 7.5 points out of nine rounds beating a strong field of 27 contestants. Bobby Ballah is now a three-time winner of the national title, having won the 2021 & 2022 editions.

David Leroy Debblay the 2023 Liberian National Champion was second with seven points while James Tondo grabbed the bronze medal with six points.

The event which was an open one was hosted at the Liberian Federation’s office ran from 2nd to 9th May 2025. The 2024 edition was meant to be hosted in December 2024 but was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.

The Ladies Section starts today with Georgiana Sackie defending Champion taking on challenger Abigail Karyah who qualified earlier. The eight round contest runs until 14th May 2025 with two rounds a day.

Bobby Ballah in action during the 2024 Liberian National Chess Championship. Photo credit Liberian Chess Federation.

Game Corner

Past Champions of Liberia

2023 – David Leroy Debblay

2022 – Bobby Ballah

2021 – Bobby Ballah

2019 – Thomas Saah

2018 – James Tondo

2016 – Barcon Harmon

Photo gallery & poster

Interesting facts about Liberia

Liberia began as a settlement of the American Colonisation Society, who believed black people would face better chances for freedom and prosperity in Africa than in the United States.

The country declared its independence on 26th July 1847.

Liberia is the only African republic to have self-proclaimed independence without gaining independence from any other power. It is also Africa’s first and oldest modern republic.

Liberia has more ships registered under a flag of convenience than any other country except Panama.

About 12 per cent of the world’s ships fly the flag of Liberia.

Monrovia is the capital city of Liberia.

Christianopolis was the capital city of Liberia. The name changed later to Monrovia after James Monroe, a former president of the United States.