Kigigha Lead the Pack as Gulder/Maltina African Individual Chess Tourney Hit Half-way

Former Nigerian Champion and FIDE Master Bomo Kigigha is the rave of the moment at the on-going African Individual Chess Championship in Lekki Nigeria after a brilliant show against the pack of top-rated players at the event.

Kigigha, a veteran of several International tournaments, gave the Nigerian chess community a lot to cheer at the end of round four.

A round that shows that Nigerians are fighting and standing tall among African top masters. A round that builds the confidence of the Nigerian players, as well as followers.

Backed with the strong sponsorship by Gulder and Maltina nourishing drink but as the top players battled to a draw, Madagascar’s maestro, International Master Fy Rakotomaharo, struck down his first grandmaster of the tournament in a brilliant fashion.

However, in the West Africa battle for supremacy between the West Africa Chess Champion, International Master Mariano Ortega and Nigeria’s former National Champion, Fide Master Bomo Kigigha, the Nigerian came out on top.

This puts him in the list of the top three (3) players at the tournament going into the final game before the rest day.

Following up on this victory, 27-year-old Oluwadurotimi Lapite and 20-year-old Emmanuel Joy Idara claimed all-important victories to put themselves in the top ten (10) list of players after the first four (4) rounds.

Also worthy of note is 20-year-old Denyefa Callistus, who is unbeaten in the tournament, having faced a Fide Master and International Masters in his first four (4) rounds.

Now, only a point behind the leaders of the tournament, he faces his toughest test against the South African Grandmaster in the 5th round.

In the female section, drawn aback by the Nigerian coach, Rosemary Amadasun, in the 3rd round, Egypt’s Woman Grandmaster Shahenda Wafa bounced back with a roaring victory over South Africa’s Woman International Master Charlize Van
Zyl.

After the draw on the top board, Rosemary tried to push for a victory in her 4th round game against Jemima Paulo of Angola, only to miss a combination and lose the game.

Iyefu Onoja kept her solid start to the tournament going, as she settled for a draw in the battle against Woman International Master Vania Vilhete of Mozambique.

She is currently tied on 3rd place with three (3) points of the possible four (4).

Joining Iyefu on the list, is Nigeria’s Toritsemuwa Ofowino, winner of the West Africa Chess Championship (Female Section).

Toritsemuwa showed grit in her game against Zimbabwe’s Woman Candidate Master Refilhoe Mudodo, who also put up a stiff fight in the round.

Today is rest day and the crucial rounds resume tomorrow.