Chess Olympiad: Nigeria’s Men, Women Split Opening 2 Rounds In Samarkand

Nigeria’s men’s and women’s teams have both recorded a win and a defeat after the opening two rounds of the 46th FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

The two teams each have two match points and 4½ board points after their first two matches, with both recording identical 1–1 records.

In the men’s competition, Nigeria started the Olympiad as the 84th seed with an average rating of 2282.

The team made a flying start, sweeping New Caledonia 4–0 in the opening round. Bomo Lovet Kigigha, Abdulrahman Akintoye Abdulraheem, International Master Odion Aikhoje and Odey Goodness Ekunke all won their games to complete a clean sweep.

However, Nigeria faced a tougher challenge in the second round and suffered a 3½–½ defeat to Kazakhstan.

Aikhoje secured Nigeria’s only half-point after drawing with Daniyal Sapenov, while Abdulraheem, Bartholomew Okhipo and Ekunke were beaten.

Nigeria consequently sits 84th in the official standings with two match points and 4½ board points.

Aikhoje is the team’s leading scorer with 1½ points from two games, while Abdulraheem and Ekunke have one point each. Kigigha has one point from his only appearance, having been rested in Round 2, while Okhipo has yet to score from his one game.

The women’s team, seeded 66th with an average rating of 2018, also opened with a commanding victory before running into stronger opposition.

Nigeria defeated Mali 4–0 in Round 1, with Deborah Quickpen, Michelle Nwankwo and their teammates completing a clean sweep.

The second round proved more difficult, with England claiming a 3½–½ victory over Nigeria.

Nwankwo produced Nigeria’s only result, drawing with Jovanka Houska, while Quickpen, Sandra Omoruyi and Bridget Michael lost their respective games.

The result leaves Nigeria 66th in the women’s standings with two match points and 4½ board points.

Nwankwo leads the Nigerian scorers with 1½ points from two games, while Quickpen, Omoruyi and Michael have one point apiece.

The Olympiad continues with a total of 11 rounds scheduled to run until 27 September, leaving both Nigerian teams with nine rounds to play.

Nigeria will now look to recover from their respective second-round defeats and build on their strong opening-round performances as the tournament progresses.