By Opeyemi Dosunmu
Nigeria’s 10-man contingent to the 39th World Chess Olympiad arrived in Russia on Sunday, the Media Officer Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), Femi Solaja has said.

Solaja said through an email that the competition holding in Khanty-Manyiysk, Russia, would last for 16 days and be a 11-round Swiss event pairings.

He said the players made last minute analysis preparations for matches beginning on Tuesday during their 12-hour transit in Dubai.

The NCF spokesman said the players were in high spirit for the championships, which would see the return of Morocco and Yemen, who were absent in the last edition two years ago.

He said 120 women’s teams and 150 men’s teams were taking part in the competition featuring board order, team contest and category rounds.

Bunmi Olape, Olamide Ajibowo, Inimo Kigigha, Ajibola Olanrewaju and Charles Campbell make up the men’s squad, while Tobi Olatunji, Funmi Akinola, Rachael Dappa,Rosemary Amadasun and Vivian Dzaayem are taking part in the women’s games.