Hamoud wins Oman Individual Chess Championship
Muscat, Feb 27
The Oman Chess Committee has successfully concluded the Oman Individual Chess Championship for Adults, which saw broad participation from 106 male and female players representing various clubs across the Sultanate of Oman. The tournament featured intense competition over nine rounds, played under the Swiss system.
The championship's awards ceremony was held at Al Amal Club, under the auspices of Dr Ahmed bin Jumaa al Riyami, Chairman of Nakhal Club, and was attended by members of the Oman Chess Committee (OCC), club representatives and the players' parents, who followed the tournament's proceedings over several days. After the final round, Dr Ahmed al Riyami and Muslim al Wadhahi, OCC member, honoured the top winners by awarding them medals, trophies, certificates of appreciation and cash prizes.
In the final standings, Hamoud al Busaidy from Salalah Club secured first place, accumulating 8 points, which earned him the gold medal, the championship trophy and a cash prize. Salem al Amri from Mirbat Club finished in second place with 7.30 points, claiming the silver medal and a cash prize. Meanwhile, Maneh al Kathiri from Salalah Club came third with 7 points, earning the bronze medal and a cash prize. Mohammed al Riyami, also from Salalah Club, finished in fourth place with 7 points, followed by Said Shamas from Salalah Club, who secured fifth place with the same score. In sixth place, Muslim al Amri from Salalah Club recorded 6.30 points, while Imad al Balushi from Nakhal Club finished in seventh place, also with 6.30 points.
RISING SIGNIFICANCE
The Oman Individual Chess Championship for Adults is one of the most important events on the Oman Chess Committee's agenda, providing players with a valuable opportunity to engage in high-level competitive matches that enhance their skills and experience. The tournament also enables participants to earn international rankings and titles, increasing their competitiveness and strengthening the status of chess in Oman.
Additionally, the tournament highlights the growing interest in chess within the country, with broad participation from various clubs, reflecting the increasing awareness of the intellectual and strategic benefits of the sport. Chess not only sharpens strategic thinking, but also improves concentration and decision-making skills.
At the conclusion of the championship, Muslim al Wadhahi emphasised the importance of continuously supporting outstanding players, nurturing their talents through training camps and international participation, allowing them to compete against the world's best players. He also praised the high level of performance showcased during the championship, reinforcing the technical committee's confidence in the players' ability to achieve honourable results in upcoming regional and international tournaments.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
27-05-2025
- Observer
Emad wins Bronze at Sharjah chess masters
MUSCAT: The Oman national chess team player Emad bin Said al Balushi has achieved a new milestone for Oman chess by winning the bronze medal in C category (allocated for players rated under 1900) of the Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship. The tournament was organised recently by the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club. The event saw broad international participation, with 111 male and female players from 26 countries, representing some of the most promising names in the sport. The competition was held over nine rounds using the Swiss system. Al Balushi managed to secure third place on the podium among a competitive field of players from top-tier chess schools. The Oman Chess Committee stated that this achievement reflects the growing level of Omani players on the international stage and aligns with its goals to refine young talents through international exposure, helping improve international rankings and strengthen Oman's presence in global chess tournaments. Emad al Balushi during the competition Emad al Balushi expressed great joy at his accomplishment, saying "It was a very tough tournament, and I faced players from countries with long-standing chess traditions. There was a lot of pressure in the final rounds, but I focused on each match individually, stayed calm, and i was able to achieve positive results. This medal means a lot to me, and I consider it an important step in my sports career." Al Balushi added "I thank the Oman Chess Committee for their continuous support. I hope we get more opportunities to participate in international tournaments, as they help us grow and gain new experiences. My next ambition is to reach a 2000 international rating and compete for medals in even stronger tournaments." The Oman Chess Committee continues to support national talents through ongoing development plans, which include training camps, technical programs in cooperation with international coaches, and participation in both local and international rated tournaments. These efforts aim to prepare a new generation capable of representing the Sultanate in major competitions, in line with the goals of Oman's Vision 2040 for sports development.
Observer
22-05-2025
- Observer
Building the Future of Chess in Oman
Oman's chess landscape has steadily transformed over the past decade, evolving from a niche pastime into a vibrant national pursuit characterised by frequent tournaments, emerging talent, and expanding participation. From a handful of informal matches to structured FIDE-rated events, the Sultanate is now firmly establishing itself on the regional chess map. Basma Al Sudairi, Oman Chess Committee Secretary, said: 'It's been incredible to witness the growing enthusiasm for chess across Oman. The increasing number of tournaments, clubs, and school programmes demonstrates just how much the game is taking root in our communities. Our youth are showing real promise — not just in their technical skill, but in their discipline, patience, and strategic thinking. With the right guidance, training, and opportunities, I have no doubt we'll soon see Omani players making their mark on the regional and even international stage.' The 2025 tournament calendar reflects this shift. Early in the year, the Markaz Al Bahja Rapid Chess Tournament in January attracted a strong field of players across different age groups. March brought the high-speed excitement of the Layali Al-Irfan Festival Blitz Chess Championship, while April delivered a trio of major events: the Waterfront FIDE Rapid Open Chess Championship, the 5th Sultan Qaboos University Rapid Tournament, and the Chess Masters Academy Classic Rated Tournament. These events not only offered players the opportunity to improve their global rankings but also saw a record number of participants, showcasing the game's growing appeal. Just a few years ago, chess tournaments in Oman typically attracted between 30 and 50 players, often centred around Muscat-based clubs. Today, many events draw over 100 participants, with diverse representation from schools, universities, and even international residents in Oman. For example, the FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships hosted in Muscat in late 2023 drew over 400 players from more than 60 countries — a milestone that highlighted Oman's organisational capabilities and its rising profile within the global chess community. Female participation has also shown encouraging growth. Events such as the Oman Women's Chess Championship have become regular fixtures, providing dedicated platforms for women and girls to compete and develop their skills. The rise of young players like Rawan Al Balushi, who earned the title of Woman Candidate Master, underscores both the emerging talent and the importance of gender-inclusive opportunities within the chess community. At grassroots level, school initiatives are helping to embed chess into the educational fabric of the country. Tournaments such as the Azzan bin Qais International Schools Championships and various inter-school competitions are introducing children to the game at a young age. These events not only teach the fundamentals of chess but also promote critical thinking, discipline, and patience — skills that benefit beyond the board. Behind this growth is the consistent effort of the Oman Chess Committee (OCC) and academies such as the International Chess Academy of Oman (ICAO). They have developed training programmes, expanded tournament offerings, and modernised the chess experience through digital tools and live broadcasting. Support from institutions such as Sultan Qaboos University and private sponsors has further aided in integrating chess into public and academic spaces. This evolution is about more than just numbers. Chess in Oman is fostering a culture of strategy, focus, and cross-generational engagement. With increasing participation, improved infrastructure, and growing international attention, Oman's chess journey is one of quiet determination — and it has only just begun.
Observer
16-05-2025
- Observer
Al Amerat crush Salalah to win Hockey Super Cup
Muscat: Al Amerat Club were crowned the 2025 Hockey Super Cup champions after a 5-0 victory over Salalah Club at the Hockey Oman Stadium in Al Amerat. The event was held under the auspices of Zuhair bin Mohammed al Ajmi, member of the Asian Hockey Federation. The match started strongly in favour of Al Amerat, who dominated play from the opening moments. Salalah relied on counter attacks and almost took the lead in the second minute with a dangerous shot from Muhannad al Balushi. Salalah continued their attempts and earned a penalty corner from which Mohammed al Toubi scored, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review. In the fifth minute, Ahmed al Noufali opened the scoring for Al Amerat from a penalty corner. Salalah nearly equalised quickly, but Ayman Rabie missed a clear one-on-one chance against goalkeeper Fahad al Noufali. Al Amerat maintained their high pressure and nearly doubled their lead in the final minute of the first quarter, but Salalah's goalkeeper Khalid al Quraini made the save, ending the quarter with Al Amerat leading 1-0. Al Amerat make an attack at Salalah goalmouth. The second quarter saw Al Amerat dominate possession without creating real scoring chances until the final minute when Mohammed al Noufali's shot rebounded off the goalkeeper and Mahmoud Ramadhan followed it up to score the second goal, ending the half with Al Amerat up 2-0. At the start of the third quarter, Al Amerat continued their dominance and Elias al Noufali scored the third goal amidst a clear drop in Salalah's performance. Adnan al Hasani nearly added a fourth goal in the 27th minute, but Khalid al Quraini once again shined, saving another penalty corner for Al Amerat. Salalah attempted a comeback through a corner taken by Rashad Khuzain, but it posed no threat. In the final minutes of the quarter, Adnan al Hasani and Ayman Faraj scored the fourth and fifth goals, ending the quarter 5-0. Al Amerat captain lifts the Super Cup trophy. The final quarter saw no change in the scoreline, concluding with a well deserved triumph for Al Amerat, who claimed the Hockey Super Cup title. Mohammed al Darmaki, head coach of Al Amerat, expressed his delight after winning the Super Cup. "We congratulate all members of Al Amerat Club, including the players, management, technical staff and fans. Special congratulations go to the club's Board of Directors, led by Shaikh Mohsin bin Hani al Bahrani, who was the team's biggest supporter both financially and morally, always present with the players, encouraging and motivating them to achieve this success." Salalah players pose with their runners-up medals. GAME PLAN He added about the match: "The players delivered a great performance and fully deserved the title. They executed the game plan with full commitment. Finals are always approached with caution, regardless of the opponent's name and that's what we are focused on in the first quarter by playing conservatively with a strong defensive setup to better read the opponent's strategy, knowing that finals always carry surprises. "After that, the team gradually opened up, imposed its style of play, dominated possession and managed to diversify its tactics and create space, resulting in five deserved goals that reflect the hard work the players put in throughout the match." Salih Rasim Salih, captain of Salalah, said: "We played a strong match where the players gave their all with great fighting spirit. We congratulate Al Amerat Club on this deserved victory and I also congratulate my teammates in Salalah for their commendable performance." Al Amerat crush Salalah to win Hockey Super Cup He added: "The match was decided by the experience of the players. We faced a team with seasoned players accustomed to playing in such finals, while we rely on a young squad made up of junior and youth players, which in itself was a big challenge that we bravely accepted. "We have a solid base of young players that we have started to develop and prepare for the future; and we are working hard to build a team capable of competing strongly and reaching the podiums in the coming years." Pics by: Khalfan Al Ruzaiqi
