Nigerian chess players

By Femi Solaja

Nigeria’s chess team to the on-going All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique began their quest for glory  on a bright note as both the male and female teams humbled their respective opponents in the opening round of nine-round swiss-event pairing play.

The female team, led by Rosemary Amadasun secured a perfect score with a 4-0 humiliation of Kenya while the male team humbled Madagascar 3-1 in the same round.

Doris Adebayo, who missed the last World chess Olympiad by the whiskers, set the tone of victory following an iron clad display of Queen Indian defence and on move 17, her opponent, Khimule Rehana had no solution to e6 move and lost her queen early in the game.

Funmi Akinola was better against Maina Purity in an English opening as she took control of the game from move 7 and never let the advantage off till move 29 when her opponent resigned on mate threat in the next two moves.

Both Rosemary Amadasun and Tobi Olatunji on board three and four respectively secured wins against Jumba Glona and Asiema Isabelle in easy wins to make 4-0 win on opening day.

In the male section, Charles Campbell on board one overcame initial threat from Ramasindrane Girard to secure the first win for Nigeria and Adebayo Adegboyega was to follow with a win against Randrambololona Herimantotosa.

However, the duo of Benjamin Omorere and Bunmi Olape drew their games to Henikasina Richard Elraza and Rakotomaharo Richard on board three and four respectively.

Play resumes Wednesday with Nigeria playing teams that won their matches Tuesday. Nigeria won three gold, one silver and bronze at the last games in Algiers