Impressed by the exhibition of the 1851 Agidingbi chess board game, Chief Abiola Dosumu, the Erelu of Lagos, expressed how the exhibition had breathed life back into Lagos’s rich history.
During the event, he commended the organizers for their original exhibition, remarking that it offered a captivating portrayal of Lagos’s history in a unique and authentic manner.
He noted that while chess games often tell the stories of foreigners, this one highlighted the struggles and resilience of the local people, celebrating the ancestors’ fortitude and their role in preserving the community. He praised the exhibition as a wonderful achievement.
The creative director, Olúdamólá Adebowale, explained that the inspiration behind the creation of the Lagos ingenious chess game was to document one of the significant war stories in Lagos history.
The 1851 Agidingbi chess board marked Nigeria’s first-ever variant of chess, and during a private exhibition at the Red Door gallery in Lagos, participants were taken on a journey into the historical narrative of the 1851 bombardment of Lagos by the British naval forces.
This Lagos-themed chess game, 1851 Agidingbi, skillfully integrated the city’s history and culture with cutting-edge gaming technology, delivering a truly unique gaming experience.
Adebowale emphasized that their goal was to preserve Lagos’s history using modern technology and digital assets.
The chess game, crafted from wood and acrylic materials, holds a special place in the hearts of Lagosians, with the name ‘Agidingbi’ echoing the sounds of the cannon guns fired during the British forces’ bombardment.
These sounds reverberated as far as Badagry and Lagos mainland, leaving a lasting impact on the city’s history.
The 1851 Agidingbi chess game emerged in 2023, with plans to establish it as a collector’s item. It not only showcases the characters but also the intricate design behind it.
The concept for this chess game was born in 2018, and its development began during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. In 2021, they launched the chess game app to commemorate the 170th historical memorial of the 1851 bombardment of Lagos.
Now, they proudly present the first variant of the chess game board, a dream realized through the dedication of many hands, and a cherished gift to Lagos.
