Chess in Nigeria
By Bunmi Olape
Officially the country of Nigeria is called the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The population of this country is about 135 million people. As a matter of
fact one out of every five Africans is Nigerian. It has been predicted that
by 2025, the population of Nigeria will triple.
There are about 250 different ethnic groups in Nigeria, and it is estimated
that there are at least 250 different languages in the country (the official
language is English). There are four ethnic groups that make up 65% of Nigeria's
population. Those ethnic groups are the Fulani, Hausa, Ibo, Yoruba.
The three main types of vegetation found in Nigeria are swamp forests, tropical
rainforest, and savanna. The swamp forests are in the delta and coastal zone.
The tropical rainforests are in the south, which is very humid. The savanna
is in the middle belt and in the north, which is drier. In the forests there
are monkeys, snakes, and small antelope, while in the savanna area there are
larger hoofed animals. Some of these animals are kob, waterbuck, and reedbuck.
The Nigerian economy today is the biggest and fastest growing in Africa. Nigeria
is part of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and it
is the largest producer of petroleum in Africa. Obviously, Nigeria's principle
industry is oil. As a matter of fact, it ranks sixth in the world for its production
of crude oil, but its GDP per capita is only $250!
The Ashton Wells Invitational
Welcoming players, officials and spectators at the entrance to the Abraka
Turf Club house is a dummy horse labelled "Ashton Wells". That is
a bottled water company owned by the owner of the Abraka Turf itself, and also
the sponsor of the First Ashton Wells Invitational Chess Tournament. The sponsor's
name is Albert Esiri. He is the owner of one of the biggest golf courses in
Nigeria, which also serves as a polo ground and for other recreational activities.

The beautiful chalet at the Abraka Turf Club in a natural setting. The place
is a tourist delight.

The swimming pool of the Abraka Turf Club
A tourist having a nice time at the Abraka complex in Oria, Abraka, Delta
State of Nigeria. The tourists are mainly of European descent and are here
to work for the oil companies in the southeastern part of Nigeria, which is
rich in petroleum.

The kitchen staff at the Abraka Turf preparing lunch for the chess players
and officials. The dishes are both continental and local. Abraka Turf also
serves as a holiday resort for tourists, with superb accommodation for vacationers
and sportspeople alike.

Yours truly (Bunmi Olape) starting his round seven game against International
Master Afolabi Akintola (2287), who doubles as the national coach. In this
picture Afolabi thought for 12 minutes before finding a reply to the novelty
1.e4!

Chess players during leisure time, shooting pool in the clubhouse. On the
right is Bomo Kigigha, Nigerian national champion, one of the players invited
for the ten-man round robin.

The winner of the tournament, IM Odion Aikhoje (2253) playing a demonstration
blitz game on a decorative board and pieces with the first runner-up Benjamin
Omorere.

The sponsor of the First Ashton Wells Invitational Tournament, Mr Albert Esiri,
addressing the players, officials and spectators.
The first church in Oria, Abraka, Delta State, built in 1859 during the colonial
era by missionaries of the Baptist church. It is in fact one of the oldest
in the country.

A typical village house at the edge of the forest

A village woman and a peeping tom from the Turf wondering about the level
of civilisation in the village. This particular village house is almost directly
opposite the Abraka Turf complex, the venue of the chess tournament.
The first two-storey building in the area, built by colonial masters (the
British) and also occupied by them way back in the pre-colonial era.

The market square, but unfortunately empty. Market is once a week.
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Bunmi Olape
I started playing
chess in 1991 and unbelievably won my first tournament the same year
at the secondary school games.
I have represented
Nigeria in several international tournaments notable among them are the
Chess Olympiads in Elista (1998), Bled (2002), Calvia (2004). Last year
I played for Nigeria at the All African Games on board three and was
able to win a Gold Medal. I also participated in the African Individual
Chess Championship in which I had an FM title performance (yet to be
confirmed). I am presently the highest rated Nigerian on the FIDE rating
list, with a rating of 2304.
I am a graduate of
university of Ilorin, Kwara state of Nigeria with B.Sc in Geography.
Photo of Bunmi
by Fred Lucas |
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