Chess Olympiad: Nigeria Men Face North Macedonia, Women Battle Guatemala In Round 10

Team Nigeria will return to action in Round 10 of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Saturday, with the men’s team facing North Macedonia and the women taking on Guatemala.

The two Nigerian teams will be seeking positive results as the 11-round competition enters its penultimate round following contrasting outcomes in Friday’s Round 9.

Nigeria’s men recorded their second successive emphatic victory by defeating Tunisia 3½–½, while the women’s team played out a 2–2 draw with Zambia.

The results left both Nigerian teams on nine match points after nine rounds, setting up crucial encounters as they seek to finish the tournament strongly.

The men’s team will face North Macedonia at 3pm local time in Samarkand.

Nigeria, which entered the Olympiad as the 84th seed with an average team rating of 2,282, has produced a series of competitive performances despite its seeding.

The team followed up its 3½–½ victory over Guyana in Round 8 with an identical scoreline against Tunisia, with FM Abdulrahman Akintoye Abdulraheem, IM Odion Aikhoje and Odey Goodness Ekunke securing wins, while FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha drew his game.

Abdulrahman has been among Nigeria’s consistent performers at the tournament, having accumulated 5½ points from nine games.

North Macedonia will provide another test for the Nigerian men as the team looks to add to its points tally before Sunday’s final round.

In the women’s section, Nigeria will face Guatemala after sharing the points with Zambia in Round 9.

The Nigerian women had earlier defeated Lesotho 3½–½ in Round 8, but could not maintain their winning run against Zambia, settling for a 2–2 draw.

The team comprises WFM Deborah Ebimobo-ere Quickpen, Iyefu Joy Onoja, WFM Michelle Chiamaka Nwankwo, Sandra Osarugue Omoruyi and WIM Bridget Michael, with Ejiro Okessena Thukson IV as captain.

Saturday’s fixtures are therefore important for both Nigerian teams, with only one more round remaining after the Round 10 encounters.

The Nigerian contingent will be hoping to end the penultimate day with results that provide momentum heading into Sunday’s final round of the Olympiad.