The Nigerian men's and women's chess teams are set to compete in Round 10 of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Saturday. The men's team will face North Macedonia at 3pm local time, while the women's team will take on Guatemala. These matches come after contrasting outcomes in Friday's Round 9, where Nigeria's men secured their second successive victory and the women played out a draw.
Nigeria's men's team recorded a 3½–½ victory over Tunisia in Round 9, with FM Abdulrahman Akintoye Abdulraheem, IM Odion Aikhoje, and Odey Goodness Ekunke securing wins, while FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha drew his game. This result, combined with their 3½–½ victory over Guyana in Round 8, has left the team with nine match points after nine rounds. Abdulrahman has been among Nigeria's consistent performers, accumulating 5½ points from nine games.
The Nigerian women's team, on the other hand, played out a 2–2 draw with Zambia in Round 9, following their 3½–½ victory over Lesotho in Round 8. 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. The women's team will be looking to secure a positive result against Guatemala.
Nigeria entered the Olympiad as the 84th seed with an average team rating of 2,282 but has produced a series of competitive performances. The team's progress in the tournament has been notable, with both teams seeking to finish strongly. The men's team will face a tough test against North Macedonia, while the women's team will look to build on their previous performances.
The 11-round competition is entering its penultimate round, 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. A positive outcome in Round 10 would be crucial for both teams.
The matches against North Macedonia and Guatemala will be important for Nigeria's teams as they seek to improve their standings. The teams have shown resilience and competitiveness throughout the tournament, and a strong finish would be a testament to their skills and determination.
With the final round approaching, the Nigerian teams will be focused on delivering strong performances. The experience gained from the Olympiad will be valuable for the players, and a positive conclusion to the tournament would be a fitting end to their campaign. The teams' performances have been commendable, and they will look to build on this in future competitions.
Key points
- Nigeria's men's team will face North Macedonia, while the women's team will take on Guatemala in Round 10 of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad.
