Nigeria’s latest chess sensation, Tennyson Olisa is still basking in the euphoria of his recent conquest of Africa, but quickly added that he has to start preparing for two major championships ahead.
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Sports247 reports that the recent Zone 4.2 silver medalist created a major stir when he won the Africa Zone Super Chess Championship top prize, yet he is already thinking of leaving more mouths hanging wide open in amazement.
This he believes would become a reality once he shines at the FIDE Grand Prix and then the Chess World Cup, where he expects to come up against highly-rated players, but pointed out that he is determined to make his mark in both top competitions.
Olisa acknowledged that he has already created a rare feat and noted, “Getting an African title is not easy. I think we have only seven title holders in our country right now, and I think I am the seventh. So, it’s not something that is so easy to get.”
Tennyson Olisa noted further that his recent feat gave him a ticket to the Chess World Cup, but he quickly interjected that he would first plan how to excel at the FIDE Grand Prix.
“I’ve qualified for the World Cup, which is, obviously a good feat. I’ve also qualified for the FIDE Grand Prix, which is a very big tournament that I want to play in, because of the experience and all that.
“The Grand Prix is a level round three format tournament. My plan is that I am not going there to finish below five points or something. I am going there to do my best and show my class.”
The emergent chess star, who recorded 7 and half points out of 10 to clinch the African title, concluded with his thoughts about the Chess World Cup, which he believes can become his next big shock if all his plans go well.
“After the Grand Prix, I will then go for the World Cup, which I think is on a knockout format. I will play my best and hope to see if I will go past the first round at least,” Olisa projected.
