Nigeria's Chess Teams Suffer Defeats at Olympiad

In Round 7 of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Team Nigeria's men and women both suffered defeats. The Nigerian men's team lost 3–1 to Libya in the Open section, despite an early advantage and a win by Abdulrahman Akintoye Abdulraheem against Mohammed Midhat Abdulrahman on Board One.

However, losses followed for Odion Aikhoje, Bartholomew Emmanuel Okhipo, and Odey Goodness Ekunke, resulting in three wins and four losses for the men, who now have 12½ individual board points and are ranked 126th with six match points. The women's team lost 2½–1½ to Suriname after a previous 3–1 defeat to Austria.

Michelle Chiamaka Nwankwo, a key player, entered Round 7 with 4½ points but lost her match against Chiara Polterauer. The women's team now has two wins, two draws, and three losses, ranking 105th with six match points and 14 board points.

Both teams aim to improve their standings in the remaining rounds before the Olympiad concludes on September 27.