Nigeria Finish Chess Olympiad Campaign as Uzbekistan, China Retain Global Crowns

Posted : 28 September 2026

Team Nigeria concluded its campaign at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sunday, with the women finishing 85th and the men 118th in their respective competitions.

The 11-round championship, which ran from September 16 to 27, brought together federations from across the world, with Nigeria competing in both the Open and Women’s sections.

Nigeria’s Open team accumulated 10 match points from five victories and six defeats, while recording 21 game points.

The team made a positive start before encountering mixed results in the middle stages, including a 4–0 defeat to Vietnam in Round 6.

Nigeria responded with a strong 3½–½ victory over Tunisia in Round 9 but suffered another heavy setback against North Macedonia, losing 4–0 in Round 10.

The men ended their campaign against Hong Kong, where they were beaten 2½–1½. Bomo Lovet Kigigha secured Nigeria’s only individual victory, while Odion Aikhoje and Bartholomew Okhipo suffered defeats.

Abdulrahman Akintoye and Odey Goodness Ekunke emerged as Nigeria’s leading individual scorers, both finishing on 5½ points. Aikhoje recorded 4½, while Kigigha finished with 3½.

The women enjoyed a stronger overall campaign, finishing 85th with 11 match points from four wins, three draws and four defeats. They accumulated 24 game points.

Their late push included a convincing 3–1 victory over Guatemala in Round 10, with Deborah Quickpen, Iyefu Onoja and Sandra Omoruyi securing wins.

The campaign ended against Syria, however, with Nigeria losing 2½–1½. Quickpen won her game, Omoruyi drew, while Onoja and Michelle Nwankwo were defeated.

Omoruyi was Nigeria’s top individual scorer in the women’s event with 6½ points, while Quickpen and Bridget Michael both finished on 5½. Nwankwo recorded 4½.

Across Africa, Egypt produced the best finish in the Women’s section, placing 53rd, while Algeria led the continent in the Open section in 80th position.

Other notable African Open finishes included Angola in 81st, South Africa 82nd, Madagascar 87th and Libya 90th, while Uganda, Mozambique and Tunisia also finished ahead of Nigeria.

In the Women’s event, Angola finished 69th, Algeria 72nd and Uganda 79th, with Nigeria occupying fifth among the African teams.

The continent again had significant representation in Samarkand, but none of its teams reached the medal positions in either section.

At the summit of the Open competition, hosts Uzbekistan successfully defended their title, finishing with 20 match points after winning 10 of their 11 matches.

India claimed the silver medal on 18 points, while Germany also recorded 18 points but settled for bronze on the tie-break.

China dominated the Women’s competition, finishing unbeaten with nine wins and two draws for 20 match points.

Kazakhstan secured silver with 18 points, while India completed the podium on 17 points.

The Samarkand Olympiad thus ended with Uzbekistan retaining the Open crown on home soil and China ruling the Women’s section, while Nigeria and the wider African contingent departed with valuable exposure from another highly competitive global team championship.

Nigeria Finish Chess Olympiad Campaign as Uzbekistan, China Retain Global Crowns

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