Latest news with #Rouda
Al Etihad
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
UAE's first female chess grandmaster Rouda Al Serkal proves ‘anything is possible' for Emirati youth
24 June 2025 00:15 AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)At just 15, Rouda Al Serkal has earned global recognition as a two-time world chess champion and made history as the first Emirati female to achieve the title of Woman Grandmaster (WGM). Her journey to this milestone — achieved after winning the Arab Women's Championship at the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club — has been shaped by talent, determination, and the support of both her family and her she was only 4 years old, she began playing with her father, Essa Alserkal, and other family members before joining the Abu Dhabi Chess Club. By the age of five, she had already shown serious potential. 'Chess was a very fun thing for me when I was a kid, and I enjoyed every part of it,' she said in an interview with Aletihad . Her rise since then has been steady and impressive, with a collection of local and international wins that include the U-20 UAE Championship, World Cadets Under-8 title in 2017, World Schools Under-9 in 2018, a bronze medal at the Asian Youth Under-14, the Jeddah Open Tournament and multiple Arab Women's Champion titles. She also won the World Championship in the Solving Puzzles Category C and the West Asian a woman grandmaster, Rouda joins Salem Abdulrahman as one of only two players from the UAE to hold the grandmaster title. But her achievements have not come without challenges.'There was a lot of hard work there, a lot of sacrifices made,' she said. 'One of the hardest parts was the pressure — from the club, from tournaments, from players around me — because they had high expectations of me. It's pretty stressful dealing with it at such a young age.'Despite the pressure, Rouda has found ways to stay grounded, though balancing school and chess hasn't always been smooth.'Back in middle school, it was manageable. But now that I'm in high school, it's honestly not that easy,' she daily routine reflects the discipline of a champion. She returns home from school at 3:30pm, takes a short break, then heads to the chess club from 4:30 to 8pm before starting her homework.'When I'm travelling for tournaments, it gets even harder. Sometimes I come back and have exams straight away,' she said, admitting she's still figuring out the routine that works best for Rouda looks back at the challenges with pride. 'It wasn't easy dealing with this, but I don't regret any bit of it. I'm very happy that I had to go through those hardships, and I finally reached my dream.'As one of the most memorable milestones in her journey, Rouda highlighted the recent meeting with President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Although this was her third meeting with the UAE President, it held special significance.'It was actually my third time meeting His Highness, but this one felt different. We sat down and talked for 15 minutes — it's a memory I will never forget. It was very inspiring. His Highness told me the UAE is very proud of my achievements, very proud of what I've done and encouraged me to keep working hard, both at school and in chess,' she the support of the UAE's leadership for young Emiratis and athletes to pursue their dreams, Rouda hopes others will take that first step, no matter the challenge. 'Anything is possible,' she said confidently. 'It might be difficult, but it's never impossible. Whether you're 10 or 30, married or not, anything is possible. Our country and our leaders have always supported Emiratis and athletes to reach their dreams. With just a little bit of self-confidence, you can do whatever you want.'
Gulf Today
03-06-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
UAE's first Woman Grandmaster ends maiden campaign in Stavanger with 3 wins
UAE's rising chess star Rouda Al Serkal signed off her maiden appearance at the Norway Chess Open with a flourish, winning three consecutive games to close out the prestigious tournament's General Masters (GM) category on a high. The 15-year-old showed remarkable resilience over nine gruelling rounds, bouncing back from early struggles to finish with a total of 4 points overall - a performance that not only demonstrated her talent but also her ability to adapt and learn against more experienced opponents. Fresh off a strong campaign at the Asian Individual Women's Championship in Al Ain two weeks before the tournament in Stavanger and a productive training block, Al Serkal came into the tournament with confidence. However, the opening round on May 26 against Swedish Grandmaster Platon Galperin - one of the tournament's highest-rated players in the open category who finished fourth overall - didn't go to plan. Playing white, Rouda fought valiantly for 56 moves but eventually had to concede. The loss hit her hard, especially as it came in the very first round of her maiden appearance in the GM category. "It was tough to start like that and then mentally recover from there - I was disappointed,' Rouda admitted. "I didn't feel like I was getting my game right, and it was demoralising to lose after such a long fight. But I knew I had to regroup quickly.' The next day, Rouda, who turns 16 next month, steadied herself with a hard-fought draw against American Luke Leon Robin Anatol before suffering another defeat in round three to Spain's Lucia Follana Albelda. "That was even more crushing as I had her completely in my grasp after openening with Caro Kahn advanced variation but somehow I just failed to capitalise.' Two more challenging days followed with a draw against Mexico's Jan Enrique Zepeda Berlanga and losses to Norwegians Ask Amundsen (playing white) and Astor Moe Maurstad (playing black). But Al Serkal, the UAE's first Woman Grandmaster and a former world youth champion, refused to let the early setbacks define her debut in Stavanger. Her persistence began to pay off in round seven, when she notched her first win - a confident performance against Norway's Sigur H. Myny while playing white. "Eventually I just found my footing,' she said. "I stopped overthinking, focused on basics, and trusted my training. Once that happened, things began to click.' She carried that momentum forward, scoring her second consecutive win on May 30 against Italian Mauro Pivi, and capped her campaign on Sunday with a composed victory over France's Franck Gouanelle - her third straight win. With three wins, two draws and four losses, Al Serkal's overall performance was a promising show of potential. Competing in a field filled with seasoned international players, she not only held her own but ended with a strong closing statement although she would have liked to finish better overall. "I was honestly hoping to gain around 100 rating points,' Rouda said. "Most of the rounds I lost, I was either winning or had a clear advantage but lost my way in the end. That's what frustrated me the most.' Yet as the first Emirati woman to play in the Norway Chess Open's GM category, her participation alone marks a milestone for UAE chess. But her ability to rebound and finish strong added a powerful narrative of character and composure to her international journey. "It was a learning experience more than anything else,' Al Serkal said. "And I'm proud I stayed with it. Ending with three wins felt really special - I feel like I'm still leaving stronger than I arrived although I could have done much better.' Tournament founder Kjell Madland praised her spirited finish, saying: "It is exactly this kind of story that reinforces Norway Chess as a truly global platform. To have young talents like Rouda travel all the way from the UAE to compete at this level adds richness and reach to what we're building here in Stavanger.' Meanwhile, in the elite Norway Chess supertournament being played at the SpareBank 1 SR-Bank in Stavanger, world number one Magnus Carlsen and reigning two-time Women's World Rapid Chess Champion Koneru Humpy remain in close pursuit of the lead in the men's and the women's sections respectively. Final rounds take place later this week.
Dubai Eye
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
UAE's Al Serkal finishes strong in Norway Chess Open debut
UAE's rising chess star, Rouda Al Serkal, closed her debut at the Norway Chess Open's grandmaster category with three wins, finishing with 4 points from nine rounds. The 15-year-old showed resilience after a difficult start, bouncing back from early losses to defeat Norway's Sigur H. Myny, Italy's Mauro Pivi, and France's Franck Gouanelle in her final three games. 'It was tough to start like that and then mentally recover,' Rouda said of her opening-round loss to Swedish Grand Master Platon Galperin. 'But I knew I had to regroup quickly.' Her early rounds included two draws and four defeats, including a loss to Spain's Lucia Follana Albelda after a strong start with the Caro-Kann. Despite the setbacks, she made her way to victory. 'Eventually I just found my footing,' she said. 'I stopped overthinking, trusted my training and things began to click.' Fresh off a strong campaign at the Asian Individual Women's Championship in Al Ain and a productive training block, Al Serkal entered the tournament with confidence. As the first Emirati woman to compete in the GM category at the event, her performance marks a milestone for UAE chess. 'Ending with three wins felt really special,' Rouda said. 'I'm leaving stronger than I arrived, even if I could have done better.'
Observer
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Rouda Al Serkal wraps up maiden Norway Chess Open campaign with hat-trick of wins
Dubai: UAE's first Woman Grandmaster ends maiden campaign in Stavanger with 3 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses, showing resilience after early setbacks Stavanger, Norway, June 1 - UAE's rising chess star Rouda Al Serkal signed off her maiden appearance at the Norway Chess Open with a flourish, winning three consecutive games to close out the prestigious tournament's General Masters (GM) category on a high. The 15-year-old showed remarkable resilience over nine grueling rounds, bouncing back from early struggles to finish with a total of 4 points overall – a performance that not only demonstrated her talent but also her ability to adapt and learn against more experienced opponents. Fresh off a strong campaign at the Asian Individual Women's Championship in Al Ain two weeks before the tournament in Stavanger and a productive training block, Al Serkal came into the tournament with confidence. However, the opening round on May 26 against Swedish Grandmaster Platon Galperin – one of the tournament's highest-rated players in the open category who finished fourth overall – didn't go to plan. Playing white, Rouda fought valiantly for 56 moves but eventually had to concede. The loss hit her hard, especially as it came in the very first round of her maiden appearance in the GM category. 'It was tough to start like that and then mentally recover from there – I was disappointed,' Rouda admitted. 'I didn't feel like I was getting my game right, and it was demoralising to lose after such a long fight. But I knew I had to regroup quickly.' The next day, Rouda, who turns 16 next month, steadied herself with a hard-fought draw against American Luke Leon Robin Anatol before suffering another defeat in round three to Spain's Lucia Follana Albelda. 'That was even more crushing as I had her completely in my grasp after opening with Caro Kahn advanced variation but somehow I just failed to capitalise.' Two more challenging days followed with a draw against Mexico's Jan Enrique Zepeda Berlanga and losses to Norwegians Ask Amundsen (playing white) and Astor Moe Maurstad (playing black). But Al Serkal, the UAE's first Woman Grandmaster and a former world youth champion, refused to let the early setbacks define her debut in Stavanger. Her persistence began to pay off in round seven, when she notched her first win – a confident performance against Norway's Sigur H. Myny while playing white. 'Eventually I just found my footing,' she said. 'I stopped overthinking, focused on basics, and trusted my training. Once that happened, things began to click.' She carried that momentum forward, scoring her second consecutive win on May 30 against Italian Mauro Pivi, and capped her campaign on Sunday with a composed victory over France's Franck Gouanelle – her third straight win. With three wins, two draws and four losses, Al Serkal's overall performance was a promising show of potential. Competing in a field filled with seasoned international players, she not only held her own but ended with a strong closing statement although she would have liked to finish better overall. 'I was honestly hoping to gain around 100 rating points,' Rouda said. 'Most of the rounds I lost, I was either winning or had a clear advantage but lost my way in the end. That's what frustrated me the most.' Yet as the first Emirati woman to play in the Norway Chess Open's GM category, her participation alone marks a milestone for UAE chess. But her ability to rebound and finish strong added a powerful narrative of character and composure to her international journey. 'It was a learning experience more than anything else,' Al Serkal said. 'And I'm proud I stayed with it. Ending with three wins felt really special – I feel like I'm still leaving stronger than I arrived although I could have done much better.' Tournament founder Kjell Madland praised her spirited finish, saying: 'It is exactly this kind of story that reinforces Norway Chess as a truly global platform. To have young talents like Rouda travel all the way from the UAE to compete at this level adds richness and reach to what we're building here in Stavanger.' Meanwhile, in the elite Norway Chess super tournament being played at the SpareBank 1 SR-Bank in Stavanger, world number one Magnus Carlsen and reigning two-time Women's World Rapid Chess Champion Koneru Humpy remain in close pursuit of the lead in the men's and the women's sections respectively. Final rounds take place later this week.
Gulf Today
28-05-2025
- 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.
