Latest news with #Rouda
Gulf Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- Gulf Today
UAE's Rouda makes historic debut at Norway Chess
In a landmark moment for UAE sport and the Arab world, 15-year-old Rouda Al Serkal, the country's first Woman Grandmaster (WGM), made her debut at the prestigious Norway Chess Open tournament, competing here for the first time. Her participation marks a new era for Emirati women in international chess, putting the UAE firmly on the map in a sport long dominated by European and Asian powerhouses. In her opening match on Monday, Rouda faced Ukraine's GM Platon Galperin, playing with the white pieces in a tense 56-move encounter. Despite a valiant effort, the game ended in a 0–1 result against her favour. 'It is sad to not start with a win,' Rouda said with a smile, reflecting on the experience. 'But it was also incredibly valuable. Playing at this level is intense, and I know I'll grow from this.' Her qualification and invitation to Norway Chess Open - held on the sidelines of the main tournament that draws the world's elite, including regining World chess Champion Gukesh Dommaraju of India and Norwegian legend Magnus Carlsen—has been widely celebrated across the Emirates, especially given her groundbreaking rise through the ranks. Rouda's participation in the open category signals not only her individual ambition but a broader shift in the global perception of Gulf athletes, particularly women. 'It's been an incredible journey for me so far – one tournament at a time, learning from every game and gradually improving. Playing at an event like Norway Chess, alongside some of the biggest names in the sport, is a great experience. It shows how far I've come, and how much more there is to learn and achieve,' said Rouda, who has already made waves on the international circuit. Earlier this year, she secured her Woman Grandmaster title, becoming the youngest and first-ever ever from the UAE to do so. Her Norway debut is more than a personal milestone—it's a statement. 'She's breaking barriers that we didn't even know existed,' said Kjell Madland. Founder and tournament director of Norway Chess. 'For a young Emirati woman to compete in the open category at one of the world's top tournaments—it's inspirational. The significance of Rouda's journey stretches beyond sport.' Gukesh succumbs to Carlsen's accuracy: Meanwhile, the face-off between World No. 1, Magnus Carlsen and reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, lived up to the billing with the game going down to the wire. Magnus Carlsen, playing with the white pieces, showed his endgame expertise. Under time pressure, Gukesh made a losing mistake, and Carlsen accurately finished the game in his favour. In the all-American matchup, Hikaru Nakamura said that he offered a draw to Fabiano Caruana during the game, but Caruana did not accept it. Nakamura eventually secured a crucial victory in the endgame with the black pieces. The first game of the evening to conclude was Wei Yi against Arjun Erigaisi, which ended in a draw. In the exciting following Armageddon game Erigaisi defended excellently against the pressure put up by Wei, winning the Armageddon game.
Al Etihad
6 days ago
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Rousing start to 25th Dubai Open Chess Tournament
28 May 2025 00:49 DUBAI/STAVENGER (ALETIHAD)The 25th Dubai Open Chess Tournament got under way on Tuesday with defending champion Grandmaster (GM) Mahammad Muradli of Azerbaijan and reigning Asian junior chess champion GM Aleksey Grebnev off to a rousing start with wins at the Dubai Chess and Culture Club. Also winning was Nihal Sarin, right, against Akshay Borgaonkar in an all-Indian clash on the main was the first to get the full point after disposing of International Master (IM) Pham Tran Gia Phuc. The Russian, 18, opted for the Rossolimo Attack against Pham, 16, and then won a pawn on the 18th move when the Vietnamese missed a tactical blow. Grebnev consolidated his advantage and wrapped up the game on the 36th minutes later, Muradli followed Grebnev, the former breezing past Israel's IM Or Bronstein with a sizeable advantage on the board and clock during the course of a victory in 38 moves. Playing the white side of a Catalan game, Muradli won a pawn on the 23rd move and still had over an hour on his clock while Bronstein was already surviving on the 30-second time increment in a knight-vs-bishop field for the silver jubilee of the event comprises 29 GMs and is being held across two categories with more than 180 players from 34 countries taking part. Al Serkal Makes History in NorwayIn a landmark moment for UAE sport and the Arab world, 15-year-old Rouda Al Serkal, the country's first Woman Grandmaster (WGM), made her debut at the prestigious Norway Chess Open tournament in Stavenger. In her opening match, Rouda faced Ukraine's GM Platon Galperin, playing with the white pieces in a tense 56-move encounter. Despite a valiant effort, she lost but Rouda stayed positive. 'It is sad to not start with a win,' Rouda said with a smile. 'But it was also incredibly valuable. Playing at this level is intense, and I know I'll grow from this.' She is competing as a wild card at the home event of Norwegian legend Magnus Carlsen, who is in the main tournament among the world's elite, including Carlsen's successor and world chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju of India. 'She's breaking barriers that we didn't even know existed,' said Kjell Madland, founder and tournament director.
Mid East Info
6 days ago
- Sport
- Mid East Info
Rouda Al Serkal breaks new ground for UAE with historic Norway Chess Open debut - Middle East Business News and Information
Rouda Al Serkal, the UAE's first Woman Grandmaster (WGM) at just 15 years old, has marked a significant moment for her country and the Arab world by participating in the Norway Chess Open. This event is not just any tournament but one that draws the globe's chess elite, including the reigning World Chess Champion Gukesh Dommaraju from India and the renowned Magnus Carlsen from Norway. On a sunny Monday evening, Rouda embarked on her journey in the tournament with a challenging match against Ukraine's GM Platon Galperin. Despite her best efforts and a game that stretched over 56 moves, she faced a setback with a 0–1 result. However, Rouda's spirits remained high as she reflected on the match, 'It is sad to not start with a win,' she admitted, but quickly added, 'But it was also incredibly valuable. Playing at this level is intense, and I know I'll grow from this.' This optimistic outlook exemplifies her resilience and determination to improve and succeed in future encounters. Rouda's entrance into the Norway Chess Open, especially in the open category, signifies a monumental shift not only in her career but in the perception of athletes from the Gulf, particularly women. 'It's been an incredible journey for me so far – one tournament at a time, learning from every game and gradually improving. Playing at an event like Norway Chess, alongside some of the biggest names in the sport, is a great experience. It shows how far I've come, and how much more there is to learn and achieve,' Rouda shared, reflecting on her path and the significance of her participation. Her achievement of the Woman Grandmaster title earlier this year was a groundbreaking moment, establishing her as the youngest and the first individual from the UAE to earn this distinction. Rouda's debut in Norway is not merely a personal triumph but a powerful statement of progress and ambition. Her presence at this event underscores a remarkable step forward for Emirati women in the realm of international chess, a field traditionally dominated by players from Europe and Asia. Kjell Madland, the Founder and tournament director of Norway Chess, praised her pioneering spirit, stating, 'She's breaking barriers that we didn't even know existed. For a young Emirati woman to compete in the open category at one of the world's top tournaments—it's inspirational. The significance of Rouda's journey stretches beyond sport.' Rouda's success and her bold steps forward have not only placed her in the spotlight but have also shone a light on the UAE's commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting women's participation in global sports arenas. Madland added, 'I am confident her courage and skill are paving the way for a new generation of Emirati girls who now see a future for themselves on the international stage—not just in chess, but in any field they choose.'
Gulf Today
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
UAE's first-ever Woman Grandmaster Rouda 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 International Chess Federation (FIDE) calendar — invited the 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, in a press event held at the Seven Seas Hotel in Dubai on Wednesday. Also present on the occasion was Dr Mansoor Al Tamimi, Vice-Chairman of Technical Committee at 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, the event has established itself as an essential arena for players seeking high-level competition. Speaking about providing this unique opportunity for Rouda, 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 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 category, which Rouda has been invited to participate, will have nine rounds, opportunity for title norms and a prize fund of €13,000. Last year, Carlsen won his sixth Norway Chess title, while Women's World Champion Ju Wenjun emerged victorious in the inaugural women's event. Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women, feature the same format and same prize money. Both tournaments follow a six-player double round-robin format.
The National
10-04-2025
- Sport
- The National
UAE's first woman chess grandmaster Rouda Essa Alserkal to rub shoulders with world's best in Norway
Emirati teenager Rouda Essa Alserkal, the UAE's first woman chess grandmaster, has received an invitation to participate in the Norway Chess Open - one of the most prestigious tournaments in the calendar. Rouda, 15, will represent the UAE in the competition which will see participation from 31 countries. The Norway Chess Open will be held from May 26 to June 1 at the IMI Forum in Stavanger, attracting both grandmasters and up-and-coming chess players. Speaking about the invitation to Rouda, Kjell Madland, managing director of Norway Chess, said: "I congratulate Rouda on the remarkable feat of becoming 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 highlighted the importance of growing chess as a competitive sport in the Middle East and expressed interest in making more inroads 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. Expressing her excitement after receiving the invitation, 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." The Norway Chess Open will feature double rounds on May 29-30. The grandmaster group, which Rouda has been invited to, will have nine rounds, opportunity for title norms and a prize fund of €13,000. The Norway Chess Open will be held simultaneously along with the marquee Norway Chess 2025, which will see a star-studded line-up featuring world No 1 Carlsen (Norway), Nakamura (USA), Gukesh D (India), Fabiano Caruana (USA), Arjun Erigaisi (India), and Wei Yi (China) among the men. 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).
