Latest news with #AbuDhabiChessClub
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi kicks off summer with action-packed sports events
6 June 2025 01:27 AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi is hosting an exciting array of sporting activities in June, involving families, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts of all sports, community runs, and strategy games like chess are just a few of the exciting events scheduled in the city's is a lineup of major sporting events coming up this month: Abu Dhabi Summer Sports 2025 Hosted at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from June 5 until August 21, the event provides the biggest indoor sports facility in the area. Football, basketball, badminton, padel, cycling, and even a special indoor jogging track are all available to guests in a completely air-conditioned setting. The vibrant destination promotes an active and healthy lifestyle, particularly during the summer months. UAE Warriors 59 and 60The high-octane combat sport brings together top fighters from around the world who will compete in back-to-back mixed martial arts events. The event will take place from June 12 to 13 at Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi. Chess TournamentsThe 33rd Abu Dhabi Chess Club Amateur Chess Tournament, from June 9 to 12; the Abu Dhabi Chess Club Cup 2025 on June 30; and the Women's Chess Cup 2025 on June 30 are three renowned competitions that the Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games will host for those who are into challenges that test their focus and strategic thinking. By giving both seasoned players and up-and-coming talent a stage, these tournaments hope to draw chess enthusiasts from across the UAE and beyond. Running Competitions and Yoga The Formula Run 2025 at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi on June 15 will feature different distance categories for runners of all ages. The Abu Dhabi Summer Family Run, held at ADNEC on June 18, promotes family exercise in a lighthearted and encouraging the National Rehabilitation Center Run, which will take place on June 29 at Yas Mall, blends athleticism with health consciousness. Additionally, ADNEC will celebrate International Day of Yoga on June 21 with a communal yoga session, which focuses on mental and physical health.
Mid East Info
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Mid East Info
UAE's first-ever Woman Grandmaster Rouda Essa Alserkal to play the Norway Chess Open 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
In a bid to encourage chess players in the Middle East and provide a platform at the global stage, the organisers of Norway Chess – one of the most prestigious tournaments in the FIDE chess calendar – has invited Emirate's first-ever female grandmaster Rouda Essa Alserkal to participate in the Norway Chess Open 2025 which will see participation from 31 countries. The 15-year-old Rouda was formally presented with the invitation by Kjell Madland, Managing Director and visionary behind Norway Chess, today at a press event in Seven Seas Hotel in Dubai. Also present at the grand occasion was Dr Mansoor Al Tamimi, Vice Technical Committee Chair, the Technical Director from the Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games. Koneru Humpy, two-time women's world rapid chess champion, also joined virtually and wished Rouda ahead of her upcoming events. The Norway Chess Open 2025 will be held from May 26 to June 1 at the IMI Forum in Stavanger, attracting both grandmasters and ambitious chess players seeking title norms and valuable competitive experience. With previous participants like reigning World Champion Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa, and Vaishali, who participated in the Norway Chess Open as budding players before their meteoric rise in the sport, has established itself as an essential arena for players seeking high-level competition. Speaking about providing this unique opportunity for Rouda, Kjell Madland expressed, 'Norway Chess is delighted to invite Rouda Essa Alserkal to participate in this year's Norway Chess Open 2025. I congratulate Rouda on the remarkable feat to become the first woman Chess Grandmaster from the UAE and she stands tall as an inspiration for women in this region to achieve. The Norway Chess Open provides a great opportunity for Grandmasters and chess players to hone their skills and gain competitive exposure. We hope to find and encourage many future chess stars from the Middle East to play in the Norway Chess Open.' Madland further highlighted the importance of growing chess as a competitive sport in the Middle East and expressed interest in creating further synergies with potential partners in the UAE. 'We are exploring the possibility of hosting Norway Chess tournament in the Middle East and potential partners are welcome to connect with us. We are also working to broadcast Norway Chess live to the fans in the Middle East,' he said. In the Norway Chess Open category, leading the list of participants is Rinat Jumbayev (KAZ), followed by strong contenders such as Gergely Kantor (HUN), Valentin Dragnev (AUT), Vitaly Kunin (GER), Norwegian Frode Urkedal (NOR), and Chinese grandmaster Jiner Zhu (CHN). Expressing her excitement to participate in the Norway Chess Open 2025, Rouda said, 'I am looking forward to the competition as I know Norway Chess is the strongest grooming ground for future chess superstars. When I first heard that I am getting invited for the Norway Chess Open, I could not believe it and I was so thrilled, I told my coach immediately – that I need to start preparing. This is the most prestigious tournament in the world and I am sure this experience will help me improve my game further.' 'I am also greatly looking forward to meet Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, also some of the Indian players like the new World Champion Gukesh who will be participating in the Norway Chess 2025,' she added. The Norway Chess Open features double rounds on Thursday, May 29, and Friday, May 30, providing excellent opportunities for title norms in the top group. In the Grandmaster Group, which Rouda has been invited to participate, will have nine rounds, opportunity for title norms and a prize fund of €13,000. Please see attached images from the event. About Norway Chess 2025: The Norway Chess Open is held simultaneously along with the marquee Norway Chess 2025 which will see a star-studded line-up featuring world no.1 Magnus Carlsen (Norway), Hikaru Nakamura (USA), Gukesh D (India), Fabiano Caruana (USA), Arjun Erigaisi (India), and Wei Yi (China) among the men while the Norway Chess Women will feature Ju Wenjun (China), Lei Tingjie (China), Humpy Koneru (India), Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine), Vaishali Rameshbabu (India), and Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (Spain). Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women, feature the same format, same prize money, and take place in the same playing hall. Both tournaments follow a 6-player double round-robin format.
Khaleej Times
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
UAE's first-ever Woman Grandmaster to play in Norway Chess Open
In a bid to encourage chess players in the Middle East and provide a platform at the global stage, the organisers of Norway Chess — one of the most prestigious tournaments in the Fide chess calendar — has invited Emirate's first-ever female grandmaster Rouda Essa Alserkal to participate in the Norway Chess Open 2025 which will see participation from 31 countries. The 15-year-old Rouda was formally presented with the invitation by Kjell Madland, Managing Director and visionary behind Norway Chess, at a press event in Dubai on Wednesday. Also present at the grand occasion was Dr Mansoor Al Tamimi, Vice Technical Committee Chair, the Technical Director from the Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games. Koneru Humpy, two-time women's world rapid chess champion, also joined virtually and wished Rouda ahead of her upcoming events. The Norway Chess Open 2025 will be held from May 26 to June 1 at the IMI Forum in Stavanger, attracting both grandmasters and ambitious chess players seeking title norms and valuable competitive experience. With previous participants like reigning World Champion Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa, and Vaishali, who participated in the Norway Chess Open as budding players before their meteoric rise in the sport, has established itself as an essential arena for players seeking high-level competition. Expressing her excitement to participate in the Norway Chess Open 2025, Rouda said, "I am looking forward to the competition as I know Norway Chess is the strongest grooming ground for future chess superstars. When I first heard that I am getting invited for the Norway Chess Open, I could not believe it and I was so thrilled, I told my coach immediately - that I need to start preparing. This is the most prestigious tournament in the world and I am sure this experience will help me improve my game further. "I am also greatly looking forward to meet Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, also some of the Indian players like the new World Champion Gukesh who will be participating in the Norway Chess 2025," she added. Madland said the event will offer Rouda a unique opportunity to develop her game. "Norway Chess is delighted to invite Rouda Essa Alserkal to participate in this year's Norway Chess Open 2025. I congratulate Rouda on the remarkable feat to become the first woman Chess Grandmaster from the UAE and she stands tall as an inspiration for women in this region to achieve. The Norway Chess Open provides a great opportunity for Grandmasters and chess players to hone their skills and gain competitive exposure. We hope to find and encourage many future chess stars from the Middle East to play in the Norway Chess Open," Madland said. Madland further highlighted the importance of growing chess as a competitive sport in the Middle East and expressed interest in creating further synergies with potential partners in the UAE. "We are exploring the possibility of hosting Norway Chess tournament in the Middle East and potential partners are welcome to connect with us. We are also working to broadcast Norway Chess live to the fans in the Middle East," he said. In the Norway Chess Open category, leading the list of participants is Rinat Jumbayev of Kazakhstan, followed by strong contenders such as Gergely Kantor of Hungary, Valentin Dragnev of Austria, Vitaly Kunin of Germany, Norwegian Frode Urkedal and Chinese grandmaster Jiner Zhu. The Norway Chess Open features double rounds on May 29 and May 30, providing excellent opportunities for title norms in the top group. In the Grandmaster Group, which Rouda has been invited to participate, will have nine rounds, opportunity for title norms and a prize fund of €13,000.
Al Etihad
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Rouda Alserkal makes history as first Emirati Woman Grandmaster in chess
31 Mar 2025 23:04 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)For long, the UAE has had one flag-bearer in chess. But now, it has two. Joining Salem AR Saleh in the Grandmaster (GM) category is Rouda Alserkal, who has become the first Woman Grandmaster (WGM) of the UAE and the Gulf region at prodigious talent has represented the national team across age categories as well as at the Abu Dhabi Chess Club & Mind Games. Although she achieved the title after winning the Arab Women's Championship – held in November at the Sharjah Chess and Cultural Club - the world governing body FIDE issued the certificate certificate, seen by Aletihad, is signed by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and says: "FIDE is pleased to confirm herewith that Rouda Essa Alserkal (ID: 9314318) of the United Arab Emirates has obtained the title of Woman Grandmaster in the year 2025."With this, the UAE has its second GM after Saleh, who incidentally achieved his GM status in 2009, the year Alserkal was born."Winning the Grandmaster norm feels amazing," Rouda said."I was so happy and honestly a bit relieved because all the hard work and training finally paid off, it was one of those moments where it takes a little while to sink in, and I just sat there thinking about how far I'd come."Personally, it felt like a huge achievement, that all the effort was worth it. For women's chess in the UAE, it meant a lot too, I hope it shows other girls that they can reach for big goals in chess. It's all about believing in yourself and working hard," she is now looking forward to competing in the Asian Individual Chess Championship in Abu Dhabi from May 6 to 15. She said that receiving the WGM title is a strong motivation for the UAE to achieve global recognition in expressed gratitude to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF).On behalf of the UAE Chess Federation, the chairperson of the women's committee, Kholood Al Zarouni, thanked the sports ministry, the National Olympic Committee, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and the Abu Dhabi Chess and Mind Games Club for their cooperation in developing the sport and players across emphasised that this achievement is a boost for women's chess and opens the door to more international titles, while motivating young players to continue training and participating in the Highlights· Won the 2014 Asian Championship Under-6 title· Won U20 title at the UAE Championship at the age of eight· 2017 World Cadets Championship in U8· World Schools U9 crown in 2018· Bronze medal in the 2023 Asian Youth U-14 category · Arab Women's Champion (multiple times)
