In-form Oyeyemi John Fawole will be the man to beat when the World Chess Olympiad trials organised by Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), gets underway this morning at the Media Centre of National stadium in Lagos.
Fawole, who is the current National champion is yet to represent the country at any major international competition but finally launched himself on the big stage after wining the last Nigeria Breweries International Open Chess Championship in Lagos. Since then, he has made an impressive performances in some rated tournaments in Europe early this year.
This morning, when the nine round Swiss event paring gets underway, Fawole has other notable players to contend with during the three-day first stage of the trials that will end on Saturday.
The invited male players includes; Benjamin Omorere, Hakeem Edunwale, Kolade Onabogun, Onovughe Ochuko, Emmanuel Maduagwan, Oladapo Adu, Olamide Ajibowo, Igboloku,o Felix, Odion Aikhoje, Ademola Sorungbe, Dennis Ogbogho, Odum Martins, Rotimi Ajele, Oluwaseyitan Femi, Koko Obele, Efemuai Benedict, Joma Crim Chuks Okoh, Oyeyemi John Fawole, Bomo Kigigha, Olufemi Balogun, Eugene Ekpoikong, Bunmi Olape, Aniefiok Nekanem, Adeyinka Adesina, Tosin Akinwale, Biola Akinseye, Michael Ijisakin and George Erekosima.
In the female list are, Doris Adebayo, Ogechi Emmanuel, Nkem Omishogbon, Olabisi Rabiu, Mandy Enarevba, Omolabake Coker, Hafsat Bello-Osagie, Tobi Olatunji, Nsisong Asanga, Irene Ajibola, Modupe Fasola, Tiritfemuwa Ofowino, Blessing Davis, Millicent Aigbogho, Yemi Osundaikin, Beatrice Okwubor, Nneoma Aguta, Queen Princewill, Ada George Jica and Patience Sylvester all made the list of invited players for the trial.
The Technical Director of the federation, Bode Durotoye, explained that the selection process was based on performance rating of chess players within a calendar year of rated tournaments and all the six gold medalist at the last National Sports Festival held in Lagos.
“We are using the Olympiad time control over eight round Swiss event pairing and Bucholz would be used to break the ties after which 10 players each from male and female will qualify for the final round of the trials which will come up in Ibadan next month,” Durotoye remarked yesterday.
Notable absentees includes Adebayo Adegboyega, Nnonso Oragwu Ajibola Olanrewaju, Nnamdi Nwoye, Inimo Kigigha, Bisiriyu Seun, Campbell Charles and Sunny Eyenghe.
Nigeria alongside other 180 nations will compete for glory at the World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway from 1st-15th of August this year.