18-05-2025
Bologan wins QCA's blitz and rapid chess held at Hyatt Plaza
Tribune News Network
Doha
The Qatar Chess Association (QCA) conducted local open blitz and rapid chess tournament concluded at the Hyatt Plaza Mall successfully with the participation of approximately 120 players.
The nine-round Swiss-style blitz competition saw GM Victor Bologan emerge as the winner, followed by Qatari national team star and former world champion Jo Chen in second place, and John Jobsy in third.
Irfan Mohammed won the Best Qatari Player award, while Layan Al Qassabi was Best Qatari Female Player. Gerbi was named Best Qatari Under-20 Player.
In the Under-16 category, which saw the participation of 100 players, and which used the seven-round rapid chess format saw Qatar's Irfan Mohammed win the event. Paranav Pardeep of India was second, followed by his compatriot Ayyappan Ashwath Narayanan in third place, and Apil Sajan in fourth. Mohammed Jarbi was the Best Qatari Player and Rawda Al Qassabi Best Qatari Female Player. Turki Bawazir won the award for Best Qatari Player under 14, Lujain Al Fahdawi as the Best Qatari Female Player under 12, Khaled Al Ziyara Best Qatari Player under 10, and Abdulaziz Al Mahasneh Best Qatari Player under 8.
India's Apil Sajan won the award for Best Player while Sunil Kurup was Best Player in the Qatar Chess Federation's Training Center's category.
Hamad Al Tamimi, Executive Director of the Qatar Chess Association, said, 'The association seeks to develop chess culture by hosting it in shopping malls to advance the sport, especially as QCA is preparing to organize the World Cup later this year.'
