Stage set for third edition of Qatar Rail Open Chess
Doha
The Qatar Chess Association (QCA) has announced details of the 3rd edition of Qatar Rail Open Chess Championship 2025, organized in cooperation with Qatar Rail. The tournament coincides with World Chess Day, which falls on July 20 every year.
The preliminary rounds will begin tomorrow, Thursday, at the Qatar Chess Training Center, with the participation of 100 players. The competition will be held in a nine-round blitz format to determine the players who will advance to the final stage.
The final rounds of the tournament will be held on Sunday at the Al Bidda Station of Doha Metro. Twenty players will participate in the nine-round Swiss system.
QCA said it has made all arrangements for smooth start of the competition tomorrow, putting the final touches on the selection of arbiters who will oversee the competitions.
QCA President Mohammed Al Mudahka praised the continuation of the tournament for a third consecutive year, appreciating the cooperation between QCA and Qatar Rail, which aims to achieve several goals, most notably spreading the culture of chess in society. He expressed his aspiration for further cooperation that would help QCA achieve its vision of developing the game by building a strong base for it.
He explained that the tournament is witnessing participation of a large number of national team players, emphasizing that the tournament aims to see new players emerge who will support the national teams in future.
He also emphasized that the tournament is part of QCA's plans to bring about a qualitative shift in the game and attract talent. He added that the tournament represents a valuable opportunity to discover more promising talent for inclusion in the coming period, expanding the selection of the best players to represent Qatari chess in international tournaments.
For his part, Abdullah Ali Al Mawlawi, Head of Communications and Public Relations at Qatar Rail, expressed his pleasure in partnering with the Qatar Chess Association in organizing the event following the success achieved in the first two editions.
'Our sponsorship of the championship falls within our commitment to promoting community and sporting activities, spreading the culture of chess, and encouraging local talent in this sport,' he said. 'We look forward to hosting the finals of this championship at the Al Bidda Station of Doha Metro, which in turn supports our strategy to enhance the position of the Doha Metro network and the Lusail Tram, transforming them into preferred destinations for hosting various community events throughout the year.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
4 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Rail Open Chess 2025: Bologan Victor emerges winner
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Rail in collaboration with the Qatar Chess Association, honoured the winners of the 3rd edition of Qatar Rail Open Chess 2025 held from July 17-20 in conjunction with the celebration of World Chess Day, which is marked annually on July 20. The tournament aligned with Qatar Rail's social responsibility strategy, which aims organize and host engaging community activities and initiatives that foster engagement and build a stronger sense of community within the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks. The tournament attracted a large number of participants and witnessed strong competition among many professional and amateur chess players of various ages and nationalities. The qualifying stage took place on July 17 at the Qatar Chess Training Center, where participants were divided into two groups and competed under a knockout system to determine the finalists. The final stage of the tournament was hosted at Al Bidda Station of Doha Metro on July 20, which witnessed thrilling matches between the qualified players, followed by an award ceremony recognizing the winners. Bologan Victor claimed first place with a total of 7.5 points, edging out syed Abdul khader—who secured second place with the same score—based on tiebreak criteria. Zhu Chen finished in third place with 7 points, while Johan Jobsy secured fourth place with 6 points, ahead of Abel Sajan, who ranked fifth with 5.5 points. In addition, and in recognition of the active role played by Qatar Rail in supporting the sport of chess in Qatar and its contribution to creating a positive impact in the community, the company was honoured by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) with a Certificate of Appreciation under the FIDE Social Chess Award 2025 for its distinguished efforts. The certificate was received on behalf of Qatar Rail by Abdulla Ali Al Mawlawi, Director of Corporate Communications and Public Relations. On the occasion, Al Mawlawi, said, 'For the third consecutive year, Qatar Rail has successfully organized another edition of the Qatar Rail Open Chess Tournament in partnership with the Qatar Chess Federation. We are pleased with the level of participation, engagement, and positive feedback the tournament has received. What truly distinguishes this year's edition is the recognition Qatar Rail received from the International Chess Federation (FIDE), which we deeply value and consider a drive to continue supporting this sport and nurturing local talent in the State of Qatar.' He added: 'Hosting the tournament finals at Al Bidda Station on the Doha Metro supports our strategy to amplify the role of Doha Metro and Lusail Tram in our community, while also highlighting the stations' potential as vibrant venues for various community events. These stations are becoming community hubs that attract diverse audiences and add a new social dimension to public transport. We remain committed to building long-lasting partnerships with community-based institutions to host more community-focused events at our stations. Mohammed Al Madhahka, President of Qatar Chess Association, said: 'We highly value the fruitful cooperation with Qatar Rail and thank them for their continued support in promoting chess culture and encouraging individuals to engage in the game. Through our successful partnership for the third year in a row, we were delighted to organize a successful edition of the Qatar Rail Chess Open. The atmosphere of the third edition was exciting, with many talents participating and strong competition throughout the tournament stages.' Qatar Rail continues to work closely with various stakeholders in the country to launch and adopt a wide range of community initiatives that enhance engagement and social interaction. These initiatives aim to create an inspiring and interactive environment that promotes learning, entertainment, and communication within the metro and tram networks, while also ensuring reliable travel experiences for Qatar's residents and visitors throughout the year.
Qatar Tribune
4 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar to kick off campaign against hosts Bahrain at Arab Basketball Championship
Tribune News Network Doha The draw for the 26th Arab Men's Basketball Championship - to be hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain from July 25 to August 2 - has set the stage for an exciting tournament. The opening match will feature Qatar's reserve national team facing off against Bahrain at 8pm on Friday at Khalifa Sports City Arena. The championship will follow a single-round robin format with seven participating Arab teams: Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, the UAE, and Kuwait. The team topping the standings at the end of the tournament, which traces its origins to 1974, will claim the title. Qatar's reserve team will follow a packed schedule after their opener against Bahrain. On Saturday they will take on Egypt followed by a rest day on Sunday. The team will on Tuesday play against Algeria, and faces the UAE on Wednesday. Qatar will play Kuwait on Friday, August 1, before concluding their campaign against Tunisia on Saturday. The draw ceremony was conducted virtually via Zoom on Monday and was attended by representatives of the participating national federations. Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, General Secretary of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams, expressed optimism about the team's performance. He emphasized that the tournament is a critical step in the development of Qatar's young players, aligning with a strategic plan to enhance their skills through high-level competition. 'This championship is a vital opportunity to nurture our young talent,' Al Kuwari said. 'We have strong confidence in our squad, and our goal is to deliver a performance that reflects the progress of Qatari basketball, building on the valuable experience gained at the William Jones Cup.' Qatar's reserve team recently competed in the 44th William Jones International Basketball Tournament in Chinese Taipei, where they faced formidable opponents, including Japan, Australia, Bahrain, the UAE, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei A and B, and the Philippines' strong group. The tournament provided Qatar with crucial international exposure and preparation. The Qatari squad comprises 13 players: Abdullah Yassin, Owen Ikena Amah, Raslan Rashid Al Abdulla, Mubarak Rashid Jama, Mohammed Saeed Badri, Osama Abdelnasser, Tamim Abu Issa, Azzam Mohammed, Mohammed Ahmed, Mahmoud Deeb, Issa Alert, Hamza Al Attar, and Dijan Janic. The team is guided by a coaching staff focused on building a youthful, competitive lineup for the future. Participating delegations will begin arriving in Bahrain on Tuesday, led by the Arab Basketball Federation's leadership, including Secretary-General Major General Abdullah Shalabi. Bahrain secured hosting rights for this edition after Tunisia withdrew, marking the kingdom's first time hosting the Arab championship in its over five-decade history. Extensive logistical and technical preparations are underway to ensure a successful tournament.
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar and South Korea federations strengthen partnership in Seoul aimed at sharing expertise, promoting women's basketball
Tribune News Network Doha In a significant step toward enhancing basketball in Asia, the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) held a pivotal coordination meeting with the Korean Basketball Association (KBA) in Seoul. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Qatari national team's training camp in the South Korean capital, focused on fostering collaboration, sharing expertise, and advancing women's basketball. The high-level delegation from Qatar was led by QBF President Mohammed bin Saad Al Mughaiseeb and Secretary-General Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari. Representing South Korea were KBA President Kwon Hyuk-woon, Vice President Jung Jae-young, Executive Director Lee Kyung-ho, and Vice President Park Han, who oversees women's basketball development. The discussions centered on preparations for the 31st FIBA Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for August 5-17 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with 16 participating teams. Qatar is placed in Group A alongside Australia, South Korea, and Lebanon, while Group B includes Guam, Japan, Syria, and Iran; Group C comprises China, Jordan, India, and Saudi Arabia; and Group D features Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, Iraq, and the Philippines. Key topics included technical and administrative cooperation, such as organizing joint training camps, developing youth programs, and supporting women's basketball initiatives. Both federations agreed to launch workshops and training courses for coaches and referees, alongside efforts to enhance tournament management and promote women's basketball. QBF President Mohammed bin Saad Al Mughaiseeb emphasized the meeting's importance: 'This collaboration aligns with our strategy to engage with leading international federations. South Korea's basketball achievements inspire us, and we aim to build robust partnerships to elevate the sport locally and across Asia. We are also committed to preparing for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, which Qatar will host from August 27 to September 12, 2027, marking a historic first for the Middle East and North Africa.' The 2027 World Cup, featuring 32 teams, will be the first FIBA World Cup hosted in the Arab world and the third consecutive edition in Asia, following China (2019) and the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia (2023). Qatar will also be the second Muslim-majority nation to host the event, after Turkey in 2010. Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, QBF Secretary-General, added: 'Partnering with leading federations like the KBA is crucial for developing basketball in Qatar. Joint training programs and knowledge exchange will benefit all parties and help nurture a new generation of talented players to represent Qatar internationally.' During the training camp in Seoul, the Qatari national team will play two friendly matches against South Korea, providing both teams an opportunity to assess their readiness for the Asia Cup while strengthening technical ties. This meeting marks a key milestone in the QBF's efforts to solidify its position in Asian basketball, promote international cooperation, and expand the sport's reach across youth and women's categories. Both federations committed to forming joint working groups to ensure sustained technical and administrative collaboration, laying the foundation for a long-term strategic partnership.
