By Aderonke Ojo
Team Nigeria recorded mixed results on Day 3 of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with the men securing a narrow victory over Saudi Arabia while the women were held to a 2-2 draw by Mozambique.
The Nigerian men bounced back from their second-round defeat to claim a 2½-1½ victory over Saudi Arabia, with Odey Goodness Ekunke providing the decisive result on Board 4.
Ekunke, rated 2280, defeated Saudi Arabia’s Emad Khayat, rated 1939, to give Nigeria the overall victory after the first three boards ended in draws.
Bomo Lovet Kigigha (2287) drew with Ahmed Abdullah Alrehaili (2106), while Abdulraheem Abdulrahman Akintoye (2316) also shared the point with Mohammed Dhaidan Alotaibi (1868).
Odion Aikhoje (2246) completed Nigeria’s three draws on the top boards after holding Yazeed Alshnaiber (1866).
The 2½-1½ victory gives the Nigerian men another important result after they opened their campaign with a win before suffering defeat in the second round.
The Nigerian women, meanwhile, were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Mozambique after a closely contested encounter.
Nigeria fell behind early after Deborah Ebimobo-ere Quickpen lost to Vania Fausto Da T. Vilhete, while Iyefu Joy Onoja also suffered defeat against Cheila Andre Sitoe.
With Mozambique leading 2-0, Nigeria fought back strongly through Michelle Chiamaka Nwankwo, who defeated Neusa Aridas De Castro, before Sandra Osarugue Omoruyi completed the comeback by beating Theodora Efentakis.
The result means Nigeria’s women have now recorded a win, a defeat and a draw in their opening three matches of the Olympiad.
Both Nigerian teams will return to action as the competition continues in Samarkand, with the focus now turning to building momentum in the next round.
