INTERVIEW with Nigerian National Chess Champion CM Bomo Kigigha

                                              Bomo (Left) with the FIDE President

Candidate Master Bomo Kigigha is the Current Nigerian national Chess champion and also presently the highest ranked Nigerian Chess player on the chess World federation Ranking list, he granted this interview after his return from the African individual Championship 2014 held  in Namibia.

AKINOV - Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?
BOMO -Just in few words I'm a guy who tries to be happy with my environment at all times and love seeing smiles on the faces of all I come in contact with.
AKINOV-What got you attracted to chess, how did you start playing chess?
BOMO -My Dad thought me this noble game and he was my model as a kid of  about 5 years Old
Much more later in life I got to know that people competed and won laurels and as at then in our country
AKINOV - As an upcoming player who was your chess idol/mentor? In Nigeria and also generally?
 BOMO- Robinson Caesar was one of the best and had won this same NBL championship a couple of times and he also hails from my place Bayelsa...so....he was my model at the national scene.
AKINOV- Do you still have a chess icon/mentor, who are you favorite players on the world scene?
BOMO-Yeah...on the world scene hmm..one could only mention a few players as there was no internet and Wi-Fi, but all the same I knew about GM Bacrot E who was a year younger than me and became a GM so early...then of course Garry K,asparov though I've never envied his personality...but later came to find out I'm more of a Karpovian.

CM Bomo at African Individual Championship 2014

Yes I still have an icon... My favorites are Topalov, Nakamura, An and, lastly Magnus Carlsen.
AKINOV-Please tell us a bit more about your “chess history” ?
BOMO-My history hmm..that's very long o..I can only mention just a few as I started competing in 1995 NEPA chess, won a lot that period in the U-12, U_14 and 16 categories. Later my big hit was winning the blitz gold at the 1998 sports festival. Though I also won most of the opens category in all major tourneys like NBL, NEPA and some others.
AKINOV- How did you get to the top in Nigerian Chess, did you play in the
lower categories?
BOMO - Just like I just ,mentioned ' I played in every category in Nigeria and won the first position.
 Hmm.. 2013 NBL...

                      From L-R CM Bomo, IM Ezat, IM Heesham and GM Jah
AKINOV- In 2013 you had some set backs  in your last round which led to forfeiture of your last round game on top board at the National championship  which generated a lot of controversy  but in 2014 you came back stronger to becoming the national Champion what is the secret, how did you overcome the distractions to bounce back?
BOMO- That was a turning point cos it was either going to make me or break me...I guess it made me...
AKINOV-Who would want to dedicate  your national champion  title to?
 BOMO -First to our Lord Almighty, secondly to my dear wife who told me never to give up even when I was feeling so so down about chess..
AKINOV -A week after becoming national Champion you also performed excellently at the 2nd Lagos classics  as a matter of fact if the Lagos classics 2014 is to be used as a yardstick to determine the national champion you would still have been declared the Nigerian champion being the highest ranked Nigerian, this shows a lot of stamina, how do you manage to maintain your energy level and stamina to maintain such a high level of performance in two successive competition that could be termed  a chess marathon?
BOMO- I do a little a exercise, though not consistent. I also think about the amount of time and energy I've put in to be in a tourney and I guess that makes me never to give up even if I loose a game or two, I try to win the rest.  First I create my own list of registered players and follow up...the rest I'll say is psyche.
AKINOV- It is an open secret that you are arguably one of the best English opening player in Africa, what made you love the English so much?
BOMO-The English opening suites my temperament especially at the top level though I play and played others.
AKINOV- You are are a good blitz player, do you play blitz/blood  in between rounds or overnight  in major tournaments  many players play blitz/blood  till day break even when they know they have an important game the next day?
 BOMO-Nope I hardly play blitz during rounds, break of dawn, etc...I think blitz can be a distraction to me.
AKINOV-Do you still read chess books? If you do, What chess book (s) has helped you the most?
 BOMO-I can't single out any chess book because I learn from any one I lay my hands on..
AKINOV- How often do you analyze your own games?
BOMO- I analyse my games regularly..learning and improving from my errors and blunders and also try to see reasons for them.
AKINOV- How many moves can you calculate ahead?
BOMO- Can get to ten sometimes but later gets faint and filled with errors but, you know sometimes our opponents can change all in a move..
AKINOV-  What gives you the edge over most Nigerian Players?
BOMO-I don't know if I have any edge at all over other Nigerians because I get clubbed in tournaments but not usually..*Laughs*
AKINOV- Do you think Physical training is important to chess?
 BOMO -Yes physical training is important.
AKINOV- What is your favourite leisure activities, aside chess?
BOMO-  Hanging out with family and friends... Hub-nobbing, playing other games like scrabble and watching the English Premier League Football (EPL)
AKINOV- Comments on the African Individual Championship 2014 in Namibia... With  your current FIDE rating and going by your present form and
status , one would have expected that you will get sponsorship fund
for international FIDE sanctioned  like  the African individual you are preparing for
now that you are hot and can take a shot at
the Chess Grand Master Norm.?
BOMO-Yeah.. I'm back at the moment from the AICC, the major challenge was mainly support from our local federation and also welfare...but that was later taking care of... Thanks to Nnamdi Nwoye and Lolomari George..
 I placed 8th in the AICC. And didn't get a norm or even a title..

AKINOV-The marketing marketing potential of  Nigerian chess players is grossly underestimated  what do you think should be done to make corporate bodies realize that chess is a fertile ground for sponsorship and endorsement as it would also  greatly benefit the companies in return?

BOMO- As a chess player...my business is on the board cos that's what I've got passion for... Weather sponsorship comes or not I will play to my best. I believe a time for that kind of sponsorship will come and the time is near, may be for me or even other good players we have..
AKINOV- You are a Chess coach with the Bayelsa  Sports council/Chess association how has this experience being or helped you in your chess career?
BOMO- Well being a coach has helped me improve as I teach..
AKINOV-How do you combine Chess and Family Life as a married man?
My wife is my number one fan and she will do anything to make me be a better chess player..
AKINOV- Which countries have you visited so far for chess events?
 BOMO- I've competed in so many countries...
AKINOV-What advice do you have for upcoming Nigerian chess players?
BOMO-My advice for upcoming and young players is humility.
AKINOV-  On Female chess in Nigeria
BOMO-I think the woman chess player in Nigeria should be made to know her abilities by always pairing with their male counterparts. I've lost to so many women in my career as a player.
AKINOV- What next from here? If a player approach you online/offline for chess coaching  would you be willing to accept that offer for a fee??
 BOMO- For now I'm concentrating on improving my game for 2015 tournaments so I may not be able to coach or otherwise for even a fee.
AKINOV   - Thank you very much for given us the audience.
 Thank you Akinov... God bless.