Nigeria Men Crush Malawi, Women Hold Czech Republic Ahead of Round 6 at FIDE Chess Olympiad
Team Nigeria’s men and women both moved to six match points after contrasting results in Round Five of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The men responded strongly to their previous-round defeat to Cuba, dispatching Malawi 3½-½, while the women fought out a 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic on Sunday.
In the Open section, Bomo Lovet Kigigha drew with Joseph Mwale on the top board, but Nigeria dominated the remaining three boards.
Abdulrahman Akintoye Abdulraheem defeated Chiletso Chipanga, Odion Aikhoje overcame George Mwale, while 15-year-old Odey Goodness Ekunke completed the emphatic victory with a win over Joseph Xavier Nyambalo.
Aikhoje and Ekunke have now accumulated 3½ points each after five games. Abdulraheem has 2½ points, while Kigigha has two.
The victory moved Nigeria to six match points from five rounds, with three wins and two defeats.
The Nigerian women, meanwhile, had to settle for a point against the Czech Republic following another closely contested encounter.
Deborah Ebimobo-ere Quickpen lost to Joanna Worek on Board One, but Michelle Chiamaka Nwankwo restored parity with a victory over Anna Lhotska.
Sandra Osarugue Omoruyi was subsequently beaten by Lucie Rybackova before Bridget Michael defeated Tereza Rodshtein to secure Nigeria a 2-2 draw.
Nwankwo remains one of Nigeria’s leading performers in Samarkand, taking her tally to 4½ points from five games after another individual victory.
The draw leaves the women on six match points after two wins, two draws and one defeat.
Round 6: Nigeria Face Vietnam, Austria
Attention now turns to Round Six on Monday, September 21, with both Nigerian teams facing opponents also looking to climb the standings.
The Nigerian men will take on Vietnam, who enter the contest after a narrow 2½-1½ defeat to Poland in Round Five. The match is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Samarkand, with the individual board line-up expected to be confirmed before play.
The women will face Austria, with both teams entering the encounter on six match points. Nigeria is listed 66th and Austria 43rd in the latest pairing order.
Round Six represents the final competitive session before Tuesday’s rest day, giving both Nigerian teams an opportunity to strengthen their positions before the Olympiad resumes with Round Seven on Wednesday.
The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad features 11 rounds and runs from September 16 to 27 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
