Femi Solaja
The much anticipated traditional rivalry between hosts Edo and defending champions Delta yesterday in chess ended in a stalemate as ‘The Heart Beat of the Nation’ was denied a team event win by Edo player, Blessing Davies in the female event at the Banquet Hall of the University of Benin.
Top Nigeria star, Ofowino Toritsemuisa set the tone with a win against Hope Amadasun on board one for Delta but young Bridget Michael even the score for Edo as she outwitted her opponent Chemede Diachebe in the black side of Gugipiano opening.
Michael took advantage of her opponent’s desire for a pawn sacrifice for positional play but met a witty chess queen who had a better middle play advantage and took the match to end play and won after 65 moves.
Queen Princewill was tactical in positional play as she edged Delta in the lead again with her win over veteran player, Vivian Dzaayem on board four. Princewill opted for a ‘discovered check’ against the Edo player and lost her queen in the process before a ruthless finish on move 35.
However, Davies rescued the host from defeat with her win on board two against Hafsat Bello-Osagie in the third round of the Nine-round Swiss event format win, a classical victory to the delightment of many chess enthusiasts from Edo.
The score leaves Delta on top place in the team event while host Edo will continue with the catch-up game when the round four pairing comes out this morning.
Plays were still on-going in the male section with Edo, Delta, Oyo, Bayelsa and Ogun all in battle for the top position.
The blitz event will commence from tomorrow with 18 medals in contention for all the participating states.
