From Adversity to Triumph: How Mary Zira Went from Adamawa IDP to International Chess Champion

In the heart of Yola, Adamawa State, amidst the harsh realities of displacement and uncertainty caused by terrorism, a remarkable story of resilience, talent, and triumph has emerged.

Mary Zira, a 12-year-old girl from an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, has defied the odds to become a world-class chess champion, transcending hardship to achieve international acclaim.

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Mary’s story began in tragedy.

Born into a family displaced by Boko Haram’s insurgency in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Mary grew up in the EYN IDP Camp in Wauro Jabbe, Yola. Her village was attacked when she was born, stripping her family of their home and livelihood.

Chess prodigy, Mary Zira, meets the UN Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, a Nigerian, in New York, after the UN Games (Photo: @ibrahimvivian51/X)

Life in the IDP camp was fraught with challenges ranging from limited access to education, scarce resources, and the constant weight of insecurity. But Mary’s family held onto hope, raising a spirited young girl who would soon find her calling in an unexpected place: the chessboard.

From a Pawn in a War-Torn Community to a Queen on the Chessboard

Mary’s introduction to chess came through the efforts of Vivian Ibrahim, a former beauty queen and founder of the Chess in IDP Camps initiative, supported by the Queen Vee Chess Academy in Yola.

Vivian, in a bid to empower displaced children, introduced chess to IDP camps as a tool for mental development and opportunity. In 2024, Mary, then a shy but curious girl, attended one of these chess training sessions at the Malkohi IDP Camp. Under Vivian’s guidance, Mary’s natural talent quickly shone through.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, in April, Vivian narrated the heart-warming story of how she met Mary outside her parents’ home in the IDP camp.

“I met Mary at EYN IDP camp Yola while preparing four of our talented young chess players from the @chessinidpcamps initiative to compete at the National Youth Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta. Seeking directions to one of the boys’ houses within the camp, I encountered Mary outside her parents’ house,” she wrote.

“Her intelligence and poise as she guided me were captivating. Intrigued, I enquired if she was one of my chess students, to which she replied, ‘No.’ But recognising her potential, I extended an invitation for her to join our programme.”

When Vivian Ibrahim, founder of the Chess in IDP Camps initiative, discovered Mary Zira (in White and Black stripes blouse) in the Adamawa IDP camp (Photo: @ibrahimvivian51/X)

Her early performances were so impressive that they caught the attention of Tunde Onakoya, a global chess champion and Guinness World Record holder, who visited the camp as part of his Chess in Slums Africa initiative.

Onakoya described Mary as a prodigy, noting her ability to grasp complex strategies with remarkable ease.

“I met this incredibly smart 11-year-old girl in an IDP camp in Yola, Adamawa, who speaks fluent English and has great dreams like all of us,” he wrote in November 2024, shortly after meeting her.

The chess champion added: “But I worry that if she remains there, she may become another untold story.”

Fortunately, she did not remain in Yola. She went on to triumph far away in the United States (US).

Rising Through the Ranks

Mary’s talent helped her progress from local tournaments to the national stage. In 2024, she began competing in organised events, quickly gaining recognition for her skill and determination.

Her breakthrough came when she won seven out of nine games at the National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, finishing fourth overall. The fourth-place finish was seen as an extraordinary feat for a girl who had only started playing chess months earlier.

Mary Zira at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters, New York, for the UN Games in April 2025 (Photo: @ibrahimvivian51/X)

Her success didn’t stop there. Mary’s prowess on the chessboard earned her a scholarship to the prestigious American University of Nigeria (AUN) Academy, where she is currently in Grade 8.

The scholarship, facilitated by the AUN Feed and Read team, provided her with access to quality education and a stable environment in which to nurture her talent.

With continued coaching from Vivian Ibrahim and support from organisations like Chess in Slums Africa, Mary began to compete internationally.

International Acclaim and a Silver Medal

In March 2025, Mary’s journey took her to the global stage. Selected to represent Adamawa State, she travelled to Athens, Georgia, United States (US), for the Chess and Community Tournament.

Chess prodigy, Mary Zira, shows off her silver medal in Georgia, US, in April 2025 (Photo: @ibrahimvivian51/X)

Competing against seasoned players, she clinched a silver medal. Her performance earned her a cash prize of $100 and an invitation to another major tournament in New York City, where she participated in the United Nations Games.

These impressive feats culminated in Mary meeting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and chess prodigy, Mary Zira (Photo: @atiku/X)

He praised her as a symbol of “opportunity and hope”.

In a post on X, Atiku wrote: “From uncertainty, today she’s a world-class chess champion. I am deeply grateful to the AUN Feed and Read team for discovering Mary.

“There are many more Marys whose future continues to be ruined by the devastation of insecurity across the country. Little efforts by good-spirited individuals and organisations can make a big difference towards a better future for the victims.”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar hangs chess prodigy, Mary Zira’s silver medal from her victory in Georgia on her neck during a meeting on Friday, May 16, 2025 (Photo: @atiku/X)

For Mary, chess is more than a game. It’s a lifeline.

“When the beautiful game of chess came, life was fun. Chess has changed my life in so many ways, and one of them is bringing me to a big school,” she said in this video discussing her journey into chess.

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Mary says her biggest dream is to get a quality education and to become a nurse in the future.

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