Nigeria hosts Nigel Short!

Nigeria Nigeria Nigeria

Nigeria Chess Federation has a big vision to hold a strong international tournament… on the grandest stage. They had even enlisted the appearance of former World Champion Boris Spassky before he was felled by a debilitating stroke. Since then, they have had to postpone the event until November, but they are moving forward with the plans. More information can be found about the Soyinka International here.

2011 Wole Soyinka International Chess Tournament

As a substitute for the previously-planned event they invited GM Nigel Short to give a simultaneous exhibition as a way of invoking interest and perhaps to keep the momentum going. Short game to Nigeria after his participation in the Commonwealth Championship in South Africa.

Short was met by Nigerian Chess Federation President Sani Mohammed, Nigeria’s International Coordinator, Adekunle Elegbede and National Director of Sport, Patrik Ekeji and IM Odion Aikhoje. The British High Commissioner Andrew Lloyd also came to receive Short as well as Nigeria’s Director of Programs, Victoria Ezeolkoli.

Left to Right: NCF President Sani Mohammed, NCF International Coordinator, Kunle Elegbede, Grandmaster <strong src=

GM Nigel Short vs. IM Bunmi Olape

Nigerian Youth Team

Nigerian Women’s Team and one male competitor

Nigerian Youth Team

Nigerian Youth Team

Iyefu Onoja from Benue State was the event's youngest simul competitor. The 7-year old and lasted over two hours against the Grandmaster! Iyefu was a bronze medalist at the recently concluded ‘Garden City Games’ National Sports Festival. Perhaps she is a talent to watch for the future.

Iyefu Onoja from Benue State was the event’s youngest simul competitor. The 7-year old and lasted over two hours against the Grandmaster! Iyefu was a bronze medalist at the recently concluded ‘Garden City Games’ National Sports Festival. Perhaps she is a talent to watch for the future.

In the end the English legend tallied 22.5 out of a possible 25. Draws were made by IM Bunmi Olape, Bomo Kigigha, John Fawole, Sunny Eyenghe and Oluwalasinu Seye. According to reports,

Being a complete gentleman, GM Short admitted that he was lost in a few of the games but only managed to hold on by mustering all of his experience! Notable was his game against Bomo Kigigha who was a full piece up and Lamide Ajibowo who failed to react accordingly in a simmering sicilian Najdorf when faced with a speculative and dubious Nd5 sacrifice.

Full report and more photos here!

9 Comments

  1. The final tally for Nigeria was as follows:

    1. IM Bunmi Olape – draw.
    2. CM Benjamin Omorere – lost
    3. CM Bomo Kigigha – draw
    4. FM Olamide Ajibowo – lost
    5. Jibola Olanrewaju – lost
    6. Inimo Kigigha – lost
    7. Fawole John – draw
    8. Sunny Eyenghe – draw
    9. Lolomari George – lost
    10. Oluyinka Adewole – lost
    11. Oluwalasinu Seye – draw
    12. Ladokun Kolawole – lost
    13. Femi Iyanda – lost

    LADIES
    14. Olatunji Oluwatobi – lost
    15. Amadasun Rosemary – lost
    16. Akinola Olufunmilayo – lost
    17. Nsisong Bassey – lost
    18. Phybian Omongbale – lost
    19. Vivian Dzaayem – lost
    20. Doris Adebayo – lost

    KIDS
    21. Okeoghene Efoguah (13yrs) – lost
    22. Odigie Nomamien (12yrs) – lost
    23. Efoguah Ovigue (11yrs) – lost
    24. Eche Audu Onoja (8yrs) – lost
    25. Iyefu Onoja (7yrs) – lost

  2. Chess Africa is set to host this chess event in the bueatiful resort city of Obudu mountain resort in southern Nigeria.

    Big money chess comes to Obudu, Cross River State!

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