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Bimbo Adesina, "England-Bound Chess Players Tackle Computer," This Day (Lagos, Nigeria).
As part of the preparations for Adebayo Adegbo-yega and Onabogun Kolade, the two chess players that will be competing in this year's Smith and Williamson British Chess Championship, Fiji Chess Club is planning a Man versus Machine Chess tournament for them. It is hoped that this will go a long way in improving their skills ahead of the British tournament.
The players are taking part in the tourney to prepare them as members of the Nigeria's team to the 2003 All Africa Games while at the same time giving them the opportunity to gain FIDE rating points. The Chess Federation believes that both have what it takes to eventually become the nation's first Grand Masters.
The British Championship holding in Dover, England from July 28 to August 10 would allow each Commonwealth country to feature at most two players in the Masters category. Nigeria's first gold medallist in the Chess Olympiad Odion Aikhojie is the only player to so far participate in the event.
The Man versus Machine Chess Tourney will feature Adegboyega and Kolade playing against a powerful computer opposition loaded with Fritz 6 Chess programme. Both players will play six rounds against the machine. Selection of a suitable brand of computer depends on the strength of the processors of the computer. Odion, who is the only Nigerian rated player on the International Chess Federation rating list, may also have the chance to play Adegoyega as part of the challenge.
The organizer, Idada Joachim said this another opportunity for Nigerian players to exhibit their talents most especially against the players in the world. He noted that by the time the players return form England, the state of Nigeria chess would not be the same again.
Editor's note: With all due respect, IM Odion Aikhoje is not the only Nigerian player listed on FIDE's rating chart. A quick search will list many Nigerian players on the list.
Posted by The Chess Drum: 11 March 2002
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