Kighiga upstages Adebayo

Promising Bomo Kighiga and Phybian Omongbale have emerged as the new king and queen of Nigerian chess, at least for the next 12 months, after a brilliant play at the just-concluded 32nd Nigeria Breweries International Open Chess Championship which was held at the Media Centre of the National Stadium in Lagos.

Kighiga, who rose through the ranks as National Junior Master up to the Intermediate level and recently into the Masters category, played brilliantly in the nine-round Swiss event during which he overpowered defending champion, Adegboyega Adebayo, to become the champion for the second time in five years.

Past pedigree

The champion, who made a promising appearance at the last Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany, came back into reckoning in round seven with a valuable win against Adebayo, whom he defeated in a long game.

The former champion, playing with white pieces, had an overwhelming advantage at the opening stage but a faulty gamble in the middle of the game gave Kigigha the upper hand in minor piece ending.

The new champion with eight points won the star prize of N140,000, while Adebayo and Ajibola Olanrewaju are joint second with seven points.

Female category

In the female category, a new champion also emerged, with Phybian Omongbale as the clear best in the category with eight points from nine games.

The player, who secured her first championship victory, led all through from the start. She defeated Frances Debole in the opening round of games.

Hope Amadasun, Omoye Akhigbe, Lyan Ossai Folasayo Togun, Omolabake Coker all fell to her superior moves on the board but draws with Funmilayo Oyegunle and Rabiu Olabisi gave her a clear win over the remaining.

Last year’s winner, Oyegunle, was second with seven points while three-way ties emerged for third position with Rabiu Olabisi, Folasayo Togun, and Vivian Dzaayem all in the position.

In category one, Meshack Othman came top with 7.5 points while Michael Cole and Eugene Ekpoikong are second with seven points, just as Ninyan Nilson and Toyin Jeje placed third with 6.5 points.

Roland Dieyi ruled in category two with a perfect score of nine points and was followed by Temi Ijish with 7.5 points and a four-way tie for third place was among Micha Igubor, Victor Okiridu, Williams Ore and Abimbola Salami, all with seven points.

Yemi Owolabi came top in the U-14 section with 10.5 points while Olalekan Edunwale has 9.5 points and Success Enarevba placed third with 8 points.