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Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Magnus Carlsen sets early pace as stars collide at Norway Chess
Magnus Carlsen arrived in vintage form at the start of the Norway Chess tournament. The encounter began inconclusively with the six stars – in ranking order Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, Arjun Erigaisi, Gujesh Dommaraju and Wei Yi – all launching a win or two. Gukesh, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Wednesday, won in round three against Nakamura. Carlsen's version of one of Bobby Fischer's favourite openings set the tone last week for another clean sweep of the No 1 of the global elite. Carlsen's comprehensive victory in the Speed Championship, which this year also acted as a qualifier for the Esports World Cup, included mini-match victories over three important rivals. Advertisement His win against France's Maxime Vachier-Lagrave was a rare venture into a classical Sicilian Defence with Bc4, like Fischer used to play in his pomp. The individual twists were 6 h3 and 14 Ba4!, but the offbeat strategy was classic Bobby, with a brutal attack against Black's light squares. White: Carlsen. Black: Vachier-Lagrave. Opening: Sicilian Defence. 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 h3 Nc6 5 d4 cxd4 6 Nxd4 e5 7 Nf3 h6 8 Bc4 Be6 9 Bb3 Be7 10 0-0 0-0 11 Re1 Rc8 12 Nd5 Bxd5 13 exd5 Na5 14 Ba4! Improving on an earlier Carlsen game where 14 c3 was fine for Black. 15 c3 f5 16 Bc2 Qb6 17 Rb1 Rf7 18 a4 Qc7 19 g4! Opening up the king's side 19…fxg4 20 hxg4 Rcf8 21 Qd3! Rxf3 22 Qh7+ Kf7 23 Bg6+ Kh6 24 Bh5! 1-0 After four rounds of the 12 in the double-round Stavanger tournament, Carlsen (Norway) leads with 8pts over Caruana (US) with 7, then Nakamura (US) on 5.5, Erigaisi and Gukesh (India) both on 4.5 and Wei (China) on 4. Norway's special scoring system is three points for a win, one for a draw and zero for a replay loss. Draws are played under Armageddon rules which allow for replayed games. Advertisement After two frustrating days where his skills were tested, Carlsen finally got back on track with his second win of the event, a hard-fought marathon against Erigaisi which was technically easier than it looked. Carlsen's king gradually infiltrated into the central squares to support the Norwegian's passed pawn in a queen and pawn ending. Queen and pawn against queen would probably be the epitome of Carlsen's trademark grinding style. After Friday's rest day, the top pairing for the tournament on Saturday will be Caruana v Carlsen, a 2018 world title rematch and also a meeting of the top two at Stavanger. The England and British Championships, World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships are all coming up in the next few weeks, so it will be an important time for young English talents. The soundest approach is the most stable: to aim for consistent results and high percentages rather than conjuring up dreams of instant glory. A 2300 rating is one of the most reliable landmarks displaying how a player acts under pressure and whether he or she can handle constant competition. 3974 1 Qb3+! and 2 c4! surprisingly traps White's queen.
CairoScene
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
How to Spend the Summer in Saudi
From cool highlands to coral coastlines, here's your cheat sheet to summer in the Kingdom. If your September-through-June has consisted of glaring at endless emails/assignments/client amends, then summer only means one thing: deleting Slack off your phone, fluttering from one air-conditioned room to the next, and binge-watching shows that prove you've been settling in a lot more areas than just your love life. But what if this summer, you actually did something wild? Or at least…not sad? Something that makes your Instagram pop and your friends more than just a little jealous? This summer, Saudi is serving up adventures that'll have you hopping from adrenaline-pumping esports battles (yes, actual gladiators of the gaming world), to beaches so exclusive you'll question if you're dreaming. So, if you're ready to give your summer a little extra colour—beyond the usual tan lines and ice cream runs—you might want to pack up, switch off, and head straight to Saudi because this Summer 2025 lineup might just blow the dust off your bucket list (or hat, whichever). The Olympics of Gaming: Esports World Cup 📍Boulevard Riyadh City 📅July 7th – August 24th With over 2,000 top-tier players, 25+ titles, and a USD 70 million prize pool, the Esports World Cup is the biggest show in gaming—and it's taking over Riyadh. Expect meetups with icons, fan zones, interactive pop-ups, and the kind of energy you can feel in your teeth. Roses, Ruins & Road-Trips: Taif Taif is what happens when nature, nostalgia, and fragrance meet. Visit working rose distilleries, wander the regal ruins of Kaaki Palace, cool off in Arruddaf Park, or road-trip to Wahba Crater, a mind-bending volcanic pit surrounded by desert nothingness. It's a sensory overload—in the best way. Carnival by the Coast: Jeddah Season Jeddah Season brings the Red Sea to life with concerts, street art, seaside food stalls, and immersive zones like Forest Wonder. Don't miss the old-school spectacle of Circus 1903, or the laid-back vibes of West Coast Festival. Bonus: the Jeddah Shopping Festival will test your self-control. Ain't No Mountain High Enough: Aseer At 3,000 meters up, the Aseer mountains offer a rare Middle Eastern summer escape—misty mornings, cool nights, and vibrant villages. Walk Art Street, zipline across Al Habala, sip qahwa in Sky Village, and dive into Saudi's soul at Rijal Alma. It's a refresh for both the lungs and the spirit. Orb Villas & Ocean Views: The Red Sea Imagine waking up in a floating orb-shaped villa, kayaking through mangroves by day, and watching bioluminescent plankton light up your night swim. The Red Sea is fast becoming one of the world's most exclusive escapes—think Shebara Resort , Desert Rock , and more than 90 untouched islands waiting to be explored.
Leaders
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Tickets Available Now for WWE 'SmackDown', 'Night of Champions' in Riyadh via Webook
Riyadh is gearing up to host two blockbuster WWE events as part of the city's ever-expanding entertainment lineup. On Friday, June 27, 2025, the Saudi capital will welcome its first-ever SmackDown , followed by Night of Champions on Saturday, June 28. Both events will be held at the Kingdom Arena and are organized in collaboration with Riyadh Season and WWE, with sponsorship from the Esports World Cup. Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting this action-packed weekend, especially with the confirmed appearance of wrestling legend John Cena, making what promises to be one of the most unforgettable moments of his storied career. Tickets are now available for purchase through the Webook platform. SmackDown will showcase a star-studded card featuring Cody Rhodes, Omos, Bianca Belair, and Charlotte Flair, and will be broadcast live on USA Network in the United States. Moreover, Night of Champions will stream exclusively on Peacock in the U.S., while viewers in Saudi Arabia and most international regions can catch both events live on Netflix, thanks to WWE's recent partnership with the streaming giant. These high-profile shows are a major part of Riyadh Season, the entertainment festival launched in 2019 that has quickly become one of the largest of its kind globally, drawing millions of visitors for world-class sports, music, and entertainment events. Related Topics : IMC is the medical partner for City Walk for 2nd year in a row Discover King Salman Stadium: Stunning Sports Architectural Icon in Saudi Arabia Jeddah Season 2024 Launches Exciting Events Calendar Will Smith Spotted in Jeddah City, KSA Short link : Post Views: 6
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's brightest e-sports stars to reach greater heights on global stage
RIYADH: One of the world's premier electronic sports organizations, the Falcons, signed on Wednesday a landmark partnership with Red Bull, giving Saudi Arabia's brightest e-sports stars the wings to reach greater heights on the global stage. The partnership reflects a shared mission to push boundaries in gaming, e-sports, and entertainment by introducing bold, youth-driven ideas that align with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, said a media statement. Red Bull will serve as the Falcons' official performance partner during the 2025 Esports World Cup, taking place in Riyadh from Jul. 7 to Aug. 24, added the statement. The collaboration aims to support players at the highest competitive levels by enhancing physical and mental performance and providing an ideal environment for creativity and professionalism in the gaming arena. Official performance partner for the Esports World Cup For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport With two main facilities in Salzburg and Los Angeles, and a global network, the center offers training and performance development opportunities for a wide range of athletes, wherever they are in the world, under the best conditions and supervision of a skilled team of medical experts and coaches. A center for developing bright talents Red Bull supports ambitious youth around the world through a series of initiatives, including this facility. Prominent athletes have experienced this center, including Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen, Austrian Grand Slam tennis champion Dominic Thiem, Dakar Rally winner Sam Sunderland, as well as Saudi motorsport star Dania Akeel. A new era of esports excellence Co-founded by Saudi e-sports icon Msdossary, the Falcons have already carved out a dominant international presence. With major championship titles under their belt, the team has set a new benchmark for Middle Eastern representation in competitive gaming. Making history The Falcons made headlines by winning the inaugural Esports World Cup in 2024, hosted in Riyadh. Competing in top titles like 'Call of Duty: Warzone' and 'Free Fire,' they outperformed nearly 500 teams and 1,500 pro players from across the globe. Their groundbreaking win in a major 'Dota 2' championship marked a milestone, not just for the Falcons, but for the entire Middle East e-sports scene. It showcased the region's growing talent pool and its ability to compete on the global stage.
Tourism Breaking News
4 days ago
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Saudi Tourism launches 2025 'Colour Your Summer' program
Post Views: 18 H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Tourism Authority, has launched the 2025 edition of the 'Saudi Summer' program, themed Colour Your Summer, at a workshop gathering over 120 public and private sector partners. Running from May to September, the initiative spans six destinations, from Jeddah's coastal retreats to the highlands of Taif, Al-Baha, and Aseer. Highlights include the Esports World Cup in Riyadh and seasonal events in Jeddah and Aseer, aimed at boosting tourism and economic growth. H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Tourism Authority, stated, 'Bringing together our partners each year through this workshop is a testament to our shared commitment to shaping the future of the Saudi tourism industry. This year, we are encouraged to see the private sector contributing over SAR300 million in preparation for what promises to be an incredible summer season. With its rich culture and breathtaking diversity, Saudi Arabia's destinations continue to inspire travelers from around the world while fueling a dynamic domestic tourism scene.' The theme 'Colour Your Summer' highlights the rich diversity of Saudi Arabia's tourism offerings, catering to a wide range of visitor preferences. The program features coastal and mountain destinations, global events, exclusive deals, and a broad selection of tourism experiences across the Kingdom.
