Chess Olympiad: Nigeria’s Men Crush Tunisia, Women Draw Zambia

Team Nigeria recorded contrasting results in Round 9 of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with the men’s team defeating Tunisia 3½–½, while the women were held to a 2–2 draw by Zambia on Friday.

The results leave the Nigerian teams with nine match points each after nine rounds of the 11-round competition, with both sides set for further action in Round 10 on Saturday.

The men’s team continued its impressive run with another commanding victory, following their 3½–½ triumph over Guyana in Round 8.

On Board One, FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha drew with Tunisia’s Mohamed Khalil Abdallah, while FM Abdulrahman Akintoye Abdulraheem secured Nigeria’s first full point by defeating Yacine Barbaria on Board Two.

International Master Odion Aikhoje then extended Nigeria’s advantage with a victory over Zoubaier Amdouni before Odey Goodness Ekunke completed the 3½–½ scoreline by beating Hamed Ben Ghanem.

The result represents Nigeria’s second successive emphatic victory and further strengthens the team’s position in the closing stages of the tournament.

Nigeria entered the Olympiad as the 84th seed with an average rating of 2,282, but has produced a series of competitive performances in Samarkand.

Abdulraheem has been one of the team’s consistent performers, contributing 5½ points from his nine games.

The Nigerian women, meanwhile, were involved in a closely contested all-African encounter against Zambia.

Nigeria had returned to winning ways in Round 8 with a 3½–½ victory over Lesotho, while Zambia also recorded a convincing 3½–½ win over Namibia.

Neither side could establish an advantage in their Round 9 meeting, however, as the contest ended 2–2.

The Nigerian women’s team is made up of WFM Deborah Ebimobo-ere Quickpen, Iyefu Joy Onoja, WFM Michelle Chiamaka Nwankwo, Sandra Osarugue Omoruyi and WIM Bridget Michael, with Ejiro Okessena Thukson IV serving as captain.

With two rounds remaining, both Nigerian teams will be aiming to finish their campaigns on a strong note.

The men’s team will face North Macedonia in Round 10 on Saturday at 3pm local time in Samarkand, while the women’s team will take on Guatemala.

The Round 10 encounters will provide Nigeria with another opportunity to increase its match-point tally before the final round on Sunday.