Nigeria’s campaign at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, ended with Sandra Omoruyi and Goodness Ekunke earning new international titles.
Omoruyi was awarded the Woman Candidate Master title, while teenage player Ekunke became a Candidate Master, marking another milestone in their development.
The Nigeria Chess Federation announced the achievements after the 11-round tournament, which attracted 208 teams in the open category and 192 in the women’s event.
Ekunke, born in 2011, entered the competition as one of Nigeria’s promising young players. He had previously made history in August by winning the inaugural FIDE World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship in Abuja with nine points from 11 games.
He continued that form in Samarkand, collecting six points from 11 matches. His victories came against players from New Caledonia, Saudi Arabia, Malawi, Guyana and Tunisia, while he drew with Cuba’s Grandmaster Aramis Alvarez Pedraza.
Omoruyi also delivered a strong showing for the women’s team, scoring six points in 10 games, including a decisive victory over Syria in the final round.
Other Nigerians also posted notable individual results, with WIM Bridget Michael finishing on 5½ points from nine games. WFM Deborah Quickpen and WFM Michelle Chiamaka Nwankwo each recorded 4½ points.
In the open section, FM Abdulrahman Akintoye secured 5½ points, while IM Odion Aikhoje and FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha each finished with 4½ points.
Nigeria’s women placed 85th with 11 match points, while the men ended the tournament 118th with 10 points.
Uzbekistan retained the open title, while China claimed the women’s crown after an unbeaten run that earned them 20 match points.
