World Chess Olympiad: Adesina Conquered Grand Master.

Nigerian Chess Olympiad debutant, Adeyinka Adesina, played the role of David's conquest against Goliath yesterday following his brilliant win against highly rated Grand Master Pontus Carlson of Sweden in the round eight male category of the 40th Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

Although Nigerian male team lost 1-3 to Sweden, Adesina was the star among hundreds of chess players on parade yesterday after the upset against a ore experience opponent and put him at pole post of getting a FIDE title at the end of the 11-round Swiss event competition.

Adesina, playing in the white side of Nimzo Indian Defense deviated from his opponent's prepared repertoire and forced him into finding solution to impending isolated pawn structure.

The Grand Master ran into time trouble and thus paved way for Adesina to gain upper hand in the middle play and in the end game the Nigeria had a better pawn structure and an active Queen as against Carlson's Rook and a knight.

When Adesina acquired another Queen and Goliath, the respected Grand Master resigned to the admiration of chess pundits at the arena. "This is a memorable day for me because chess pundits here (Olympiad) did not give us any chance at this event knowing fully well that Nigeria paraded unrated players, but we were able to overcome with our raw talents.

"I dedicate this win to thousands of chess players at home and knowing fully well that if the leadership of the game in the country can implement the 'chess in school' programme as promised, a lot of talents that will take Nigeria to greater height will be discovered," Adesina reacted after the game.

In spite of the loss, Nigeria Male team is still in contention for the category placement and the brilliant performances of Bomo Kigigha and Nonso Orawgu could give them high FIDE ratings and titles.

Earlier in the day, Dapo Adu had lost to GM Nils Grandelius (2562)just as Kigigha was no match for GM Han Tikkanen (2570) and Femi Balogun lost to GM Berg Emmanuel (2576).

 In the female section, Nigeria secured her first match point with a 2.5-1.5 win against Zambia. Rejuvenated Tobi Olatunji set the tone of bright afternoon with a comprehensive demolition of Woman Candidate Master Tempo Epah(1927) while Nsisong Asanga settled for a draw with Mtine Joy Jottie (1949) but Funmi Akinola restored Nigeria' s lead with a long end game win against Chileshe Mbatha after Vivian Dzaayem had lost to Lorita Mwango on board four.