HD.Callito

19/09/2026

19/09/2026

🇳🇬 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad | Samarkand, Uzbekistan
📅 15–27 September 2026

Team Nigeria Open 🇳🇬

Name: Ekunke Odey Goodness
FIDE ID: 8511888
FIDE Rating: 2280
Designation: Board 4
Olympiad Appearance: First

Short bio: Ekunke Odey Goodness is one of Nigeria's brightest young chess talents and one of the country's most talented players on the international stage.

At just 15 years old, Goodness is the only junior in Nigeria's Open team at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad. He is also reported to be the youngest male player ever to represent Nigeria at a Chess Olympiad, surpassing the previous reported record of 17 years. 🇳🇬♟️

Goodness has been making his mark in African chess from a young age. At the 2021 African Schools Individual Chess Championship, he won the Under-10 Open category with an impressive 8/9, earning gold for Nigeria.

In August 2026, Goodness produced the biggest result of his young career so far, becoming the inaugural FIDE World Amateur Rapid Chess Champion in Abuja. He scored an outstanding 9/11 to claim the historic title.

His rise has continued at the highest level of Nigerian chess. Now rated 2280, Goodness has shown that he can compete against experienced opposition and hold his own among Nigeria's strongest players.

From African youth success to becoming a World Amateur Rapid Champion, Goodness now takes another major step forward as he makes his Olympiad debut.

The youngest in the Open team.
The only junior among the men.
The youngest male Nigerian Olympian.
And now, his first Olympiad. 🇳🇬🔥♟️

We wish Goodness and the Nigerian Open team the very best in Samarkand! 💪🇳🇬

Photo

HDcallito Ayo Anyanwu

17/09/2026

🇳🇬 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad | Samarkand, Uzbekistan
📅 15–27 September 2026

Team Nigeria Women 🇳🇬

Name: Nwankwo Chiamaka Michelle
State: Abia State
FIDE Title: WFM
FIDE ID: 8513767
FIDE Rating: 1997
Peak Rating: 2011
Designation: Board 3
Olympiad Appearance: First

Short bio: Nwankwo Chiamaka Michelle from Abia State, Nigeria, is one of the country's brightest young chess talents and a rising force in African women's chess.

Michelle earned the Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title in 2025, before progressing to the Woman FIDE Master (WFM) title in 2026.

She has already enjoyed major success on the African chess scene. At the 2025 African Youth Chess Championship, Michelle dominated the U12 Girls category, scoring an impressive 8.5/9 points to win the African Youth title, finishing the tournament undefeated.

She also represented Nigeria at the 2025 FIDE World Youth Chess Championship in Batumi, Georgia, competing among the world's strongest young players.

With a peak FIDE rating of 2011, Michelle has established herself as one of Nigeria's leading young female players.

She is known for her composure, stamina and patience over the board. Michelle is willing to spend time deeply analysing positions and searching for the right move, making her a tough opponent in long and complicated battles.

The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand marks Michelle's first-ever Olympiad appearance, giving her the opportunity to represent Nigeria on one of chess's biggest international stages.

As she joins Team Nigeria Women, Michelle will be looking to bring her fighting spirit, endurance and deep calculation to the board as Nigeria takes on some of the world's strongest teams.

A young African champion from Abia State, now ready to make her Olympiad debut. 🇳🇬♟️

We wish Michelle and the Nigerian women's team the very best in Samarkand! 💪🇳🇬

Photo credit


HDcallito Ayo Anyanwu

17/09/2026

The ceremonial first moves of Round 2 were made by Mohamed Al Mudahka, FIDE Technical Delegate and President of the Qatar Chess Federation, and Komil Sindarov, Vice President of the Uzbekistan Chess Federation. ♟️

17/09/2026

Why Limit yourself, when you know you can stretch or expand?

16/09/2026

🇳🇬 NIGERIA vs KAZAKHSTAN 🇰🇿

Round 2 of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad is here! ♟️🔥

After handling business against our Round 1 opponents, Nigeria now faces a strong Kazakhstan side.

🇳🇬 NIGERIA
FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha — 2287
FM Abdulrahman Akintoye — 2316
IM Odion Aikhoje — 2246
Bartholomew Emmanuel Okhipo — 2246
Goodness Odey Ekunke — 2280

🇰🇿 KAZAKHSTAN
IM Sauat Nurgaliyev — 2493
IM Daniyal Sapenov — 2510
GM Aldiyar Ansat — 2495
GM Zhandos Agmanov — 2490

Today, we were the favourites — and we delivered. Tomorrow, the tables turn as Nigeria takes on a highly rated Kazakhstan team. 🇳🇬🔥

But that's the beauty of the Olympiad: every round brings a new challenge.

Every pawn push matters. Every board counts. Every game is a chance to make a statement.
We would be watching the games
And Wishing They bring their A games tomorrow...

16/09/2026

🇮🇳 Gukesh relegated to India's 4th board at the Olympiad!

A highly unusual situation for a reigning world champion, especially since he had won the individual gold medal on the first board at the 2022 and 2024 Olympiads.

"The decision was unanimous, due to recent results," explains captain Srinath Narayanan. Struggling since his triumph, Gukesh thus accepts stepping back to serve India's collective ambitions. The leadership role will go to Praggnanandhaa, who has been formidable in recent months.

India's board order:
1. Praggnanandhaa (2761)
2. Arjun Erigaisi (2759)
3. Nihal Sarin (2718)
4. Gukesh (2703)
5. Vidit (2697)

ChessBase India HDcallito Ayo Anyanwu

16/09/2026

🇳🇬 First win on the board for Team Nigeria! 🎉

WFM Deborah (2174) takes down Diakite Adama (Mali, 1673) with a clean checkmate.

Proud moment for our juniors representing Nigeria! ♟️🔥



HDcallito Ayo Anyanwu