World Chess Olympiad: Kigigha Lift Nigeria to Beat Andorra

International Master Bomo Kigigha maintained his winning streak yesterday as he led Nigeria to a vital 3-1 win against Andorra in the fouth round of the on going World Chess Olympiad in Turkey.
Kigigha, who made his debut at Dresden Olympiad, has being the source of inspiration to the team with another master piece Reti opening end game against FIDE Master Simonet Marc (2291) on board two.
The Nigerian prodigy have transposed a Reti opening into his favourite English and dominated his opponent all through the middle play and thus made the end sequence a very simple one to give Nigeria the vital equaliser after US based Dapo Adu had made another disappointing appearance yesterday with a loss to Grand Master De La Riva Oscar (2540).

Debutants Nonso Oragwu and Adeyinka Adesina also continued their impressive run in the competition with victory against Jose Daniel and Fernandez Joan respectively on boards three and four.

In the female section, Tobi Olatunji secured her first win in the competition with a win against  Woman FIDE Master Danitza Vazquez (1916) of Puerto Rico and gave Nigeria the needed equaliser after Funmi Akinola and Vivian Dzaayem had lost to Hilzandryly Pachece (1820) and Ann Alvarez respectively on boards three and four.

Nsisong Asanga drew the first blood with the combination of her mobile Knights and Queen attack to force her opponent to resign with a mate in two threat on the card.

With these results, the male team now have 13 points while the female are on seven points after four rounds of play.


Kigigha (NGR) VS Simonet, Marc (P’Rico)

1.c4  e5 (2)g3 Nf6 (3).Bg2 c6 (4).Nc3, d5 (5).cxd5,cxd5 (6).Nf3, d4(7).Nb1, e4 (8).Ng5, Qd (9).d3, Bb4+ (10).Kf1, O-O (11).a3, Ba5 (12).dxe4, Qb5(13).b4, Bb6 (14).Qd3, Qa4 (15).e5, Bf5(16).Qd2, Ng4         
(17).Bxb7,Nd7   (18).Bxa8,Rxa8  (19).Qf8, Qc6 (20).f3, h6 (21).Kg2, Ne3+ (22).Bxe3, Bxb1            (23).Qxf7+,Kh8
(24).Ne6, Rg8    (25).Raxb1, dxe3 (26).Nf4, Nxe5 (27).Qd5 1-0


Courtesy Kunle Solaja

2012 Mexico City Homeless World Cup; Nigeria’s Team list announced.

After three weeks of trials spanning from the 18^th July -3^rd August 2012 in Ijora, Agege and Ikorodu areas of Lagos State with three days of trials at the Astro Turf 2000 Ikoyi, the Women’s team to represent Nigeria at the Mexico 2012 Homeless World Cup starting from October 6^th – 14^th 2012 at the Zocalo square, Mexico City has been selected.

Six girls namely: Sarah Iloduba, Toyosi Alogba, Nimot Ahmad, Peace Ozehudu, Sudan Abidoye and Omolara Kolawole  were selected from the three centres in Lagos. The girls were selected based on their skills, commitment and intelligence both on the pitch and during the educational and interactive sessions.

Three girls from Calabar namely: Regina Otu, Glory Henshaw, and Edikan Udoh  chosen from the implementation of the Community Connects for Youth Leadership football tournament held in Cross River State in December 2011 will be joining the girls in Lagos as part of the team for the Mexico 2012 Homeless World Cup.

While on standby are: Rita Monday, Funmilola Adediran, Ololade Fadoyin and Damilola Omotosho from Lagos and from Calabar are: Uduak Jimmy and Ruth Unwana.

Final Camp preparations for Mexico will resume in September 10, 2012 and will run until the team makes an early departure for Mexico on 1^st October for acclimatisation.

The Mexico City 2012 Homeless World Cup tournament will take place at the Plaza de la Constitución, Zócalo, from 6-14 October, 2012.