6 days ago
Stage set for third edition of Qatar Rail Open Chess
Tribune News Network
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.'
