World Chess Olympiad: Nigeria Wobbles in Opening Round

The much anticipated World Chess Olympiad got underway last night with Nigerian team fell 1-3 to their respective opponents in both make and female section.

 

In the female section, Nigerian team lost to Denmark it wasOluwatobi Olatunji who set the tone of what the day will be for the nation after blundering her pieces to bad positioning at the brink of time forfeit  to Woman International Master Guindy Susanne and when the smoke was clear, the former Nigerian champion was a pawn down and resigned after 36 moves.

 

While Funmi Akinola was no match for Jorgensen Carina in early loss, the duo of Vivian Dzaayem and Nsisong Asangha salvaged a draw from Frank Marie and Fredericia Winther respectively to leave the score at 1-3 in the 11 round Swiss event paring .

 

In the male section, International Master Bomo Kigigha secured a massive win against highly rated Kobose Watu (2363) of South Africa in a Sicilian defense Paulson variation.

 

After a early exchange of officers in the opening play, his ambitious opponent attempted a trap of Queen and after much worthless effort, the South African master was down on tempo with another blunder of b5 on move 37 shifted the advantage to the Nigerian master who consolidated till move 53 when Kobose  resigned.

 

International Master Dapo Adu had himself to blame for failing to hold on to the early advantage against Solomon Kenneth (2363) and when his opponent finally regained his momentum, Adu was a pawn down on move 43.

 

Olympiad debutants Nonso Orawgwu lost on board three to Henry Steel in a double edged position while Femi Balogun misjudged his much experienced opponent Mabusela Mayendi with a sacrifice in the early exchange and when the smoke was clear, the Nigerian was down with a piece without compensation.

 

The team coach Lekan Adeyemi, assured Nigerians that all hope is not lost with 10 much round of matches to play.

 

"All the players stated well but some did not not finish well, I think we need to work on their positions in the end game," he commented.