Latest news with #SharjahCulturalandChessClub
Gulf Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Giri wins Sharjah Masters Chess Championship
Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports of the UAE, attended the closing ceremony of the 8th Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship. Organized by the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the tournament featured 350 players from 60 countries. Dr. Falasi emphasized that the championship underscores the UAE's prominent position in the global sports arena, particularly in chess, a game that combines intellect, strategy, and talent. He stated, 'This tournament has solidified its status as a global platform attracting world champions and offering emerging talents the opportunity to gain experience and learn diverse playing styles at the highest levels.' He added, 'The significant participation and exceptional organization reflect the commitment of the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club and the Sharjah Sports Council to advancing the sport and reinforcing Sharjah's role as an international hub for chess. The fruitful collaboration between various governmental and private entities contributed to delivering an outstanding edition by all standards.' He commended all efforts behind the tournament's success, affirming that the Ministry of Sports prioritizes supporting initiatives that enhance the UAE's stature in hosting global championships and preparing a generation of local champions capable of excelling internationally. The closing ceremony and awards presentation were attended by Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Hamid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club and President of the Arab Chess Federation; Taryam Matar Taryam, President of the UAE Chess Federation; Essa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council; and numerous sports figures. The event also featured the announcement of the winners of the Arab Chess Federation's Translation and Composition Award and the honoring of the award's jury committee. Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri clinched the Masters title after securing 7 points out of 9 rounds, marking the first time a European player has won the championship. Serbian Grandmaster Aleksandar Indjic and top-seeded Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov both scored 6.5 points, with Indjic taking second place and Abdusattorov finishing third on tiebreaks. Winners of the B and C categories were also honored during the ceremony. Sheikh Dr. Khalid expressed profound gratitude to Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi for his unwavering support of sports and athletes, and for his patronage of the championship. He also thanked Dr. Falasi for attending the closing ceremony, as well as Hazami and Taryam Matar Taryam for their continuous support of the clubs. He affirmed that the championship achieved numerous gains on technical, administrative, and organizational levels, attributing the professional organization to the dedicated efforts of the working team. The tournament left a significant impact on participating players, including those who secured top positions and those who attained international titles. Hazami noted, 'The championship showcased high-level performances and recorded unprecedented participation, with players from 60 countries, underscoring its global reputation. We take pride in organizing a tournament of such professional caliber and extend our gratitude to the club's management, led by Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Hamid Al Qasimi, and the organizing committee. Importantly, each edition of the championship reveals new talents and heralds the emergence of future stars.'
Al Etihad
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Dutchman Giri makes Sharjah chess history in winning title
27 May 2025 00:48 KUUMAR SHYAM (SHARJAH)Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri made history in the UAE by becoming the first European to win the prestigious Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship. Giri clinched the title with an impressive seven out of nine points, edging out Serbian GM Aleksandar Indjic and Uzbek prodigy Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who both finished with 6.5 eighth staging of the tournament, held at the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club, attracted over 350 players from 60 countries, with Giri taking home the winner's cheque of $15,000. The champion of Indian origin gained 20.94 FIDE Circuit points, taking him up to third place behind GMs Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and Ding Liren in the race for a 2026 FIDE Candidates championship spot, and 10.3 rating points, which has seen him vault to world No.12 from 23rd position on the rating the closing ceremony, Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Sports, underscored the significance of the event. Dr. Al Falasi said: 'This tournament has solidified its status as a global platform attracting world champions and offering emerging talents the opportunity to gain experience and learn diverse playing styles at the highest levels.'Giri's victory adds to his illustrious career, which includes five Dutch national titles and a peak world ranking of No. 3. In a recent interview, Giri reflected on the evolving landscape of chess, noting the increasing prominence of younger players and the impact of technological advancements on the game. He observed: 'Chess has changed a lot. There's been progress. Technological progress. The engines have gotten so much stronger... Now, with neural networks, computers have gained intuition, and you can just learn from them.'In his own minor way, to innovate and find ways to win the tournament, Giri caused a stir when he drew with GM Velimi Ivic after just four moves by each player in the penultimate round. After a solid draw in the earlier round to navigate the main threat, the top seed and Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Giri made the quick draw 'as part of a deep strategic' thought without elaborating. It was obvious though that he went for broke in preparing for a final-round push against Indian GM Aditya Mittal to score the win, which he did, going into the round at the start of the day as joint leader with other big winner of the event was Bibisara Assaubayeva, who survived two crazy final draws to become only the 43rd woman to earn the grandmaster title. International Master Faustino Oro's bid to become the youngest player ever to earn a GM norm fell just short, after the 11-year-old lost his final two games. The championship also celebrated achievements beyond the main event, including the announcement of the winners of the Arab Chess Federation's Translation and Composition Award. Dignitaries such as Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Hamid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club and President of the Arab Chess Federation, and Essa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council, were present to honour the participants and organisers.
Gulf Today
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Giri and Abdusattorov share lead as Sharjah Masters surpasses 1m views
The 8th edition of the Sharjah International Masters Chess Championship, organized by the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has officially surpassed one million views across social media platforms and international chess websites. Abdallah Murad Al Mazmi, Tournament Director, attributed this milestone to the global interest in the event, which features 350 players from 60 countries — making it a truly international competition. He noted that the daily broadcast of matches on specialized global platforms draws over 250,000 views per day, with India leading in online engagement due to the country's strong player representation and deep-rooted chess culture. Al Mazmi added that the presence of many internationally titled players significantly enhanced the tournament's prestige. The Sharjah Masters is also officially recognized by FIDE, allowing participants to earn qualifying points for the World Cup. In a major achievement, China's Huang Renjie secured the title of International Master after earning 3.5 points — with five draws and one victory — achieving his final norm. He becomes the second player in this edition to earn a title, following Kazakhstan's Edgar Mamedov, who was awarded the Grandmaster title. This marks the first time in the tournament's history that two players have earned international titles during the event. Meanwhile, the eighth round of the championship was inaugurated by Dr. Sultan Al Taher, Board Member of the UAE Chess Federation and Head of Technical Affairs, along with Imran Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, and Omar Fathi Afana, General Manager of FAST Contracting Company, a sponsor of the tournament. The penultimate round featured intense competition at the top of the leaderboard, as Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri and top-seed Uzbek Nodirbek Abdusattorov shared the lead with 6 points. They were closely followed by a group of five players with 5.5 points: Serbians Aleksandar Indjic and Velimir Ivic, Armenian Shant Sargsyan, and Iranians Bardiya Daneshvar and Amin Tabatabaei. Fourteen players, including UAE's Salem Abdulrahman of the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club, trail just behind with 5 points.
Gulf Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Giri, Indjic share lead at 8th edition of Sharjah Masters Chess Championship
The 8th Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship, organized by the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has reached its critical final phase with only three rounds remaining to crown the new champion. Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri and Serbian Grandmaster Aleksandar Indjic currently share the lead with 5 points each. The highly anticipated seventh-round matchup between the two leaders is expected to be a decisive game for the top of the standings. Top-seeded Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov remains firmly in the hunt for the title with an impressive 4.5 points after six rounds, following a key victory that keeps him within striking distance of the leaders. The young star continues to demonstrate his consistency and competitive edge as the tournament intensifies. Trailing just half a point behind, a tightly packed group of fourteen players are tied at 4 points, creating a highly competitive leaderboard. Among them is Emirati Grandmaster Salem Abdulrahman, who delivered a vital performance in round six by defeating Sava Vetokhin, a competitor playing under the flag of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The win positions Abdulrahman well for a strong finish as the event enters its crucial stages. Round six featured a series of significant results on the top boards that reshaped the standings. Serbian Grandmaster Indjic claimed a major victory over Chinese GM Dai Changren on board one, while Dutch superstar Giri prevailed against Iranian GM Parham Maghsoodloo in a tightly contested match on board two. On board three, Abdusattorov continued his push toward the top with a composed and strategic win over Indian International Master P. Iniyan. A standout performance at the tournament continues to come from 12-year-old Argentinian chess prodigy Faustino Oro, widely hailed as the 'Messi of Chess.' The young sensation has captured the attention of the global chess community with his remarkable composure, maturity, and tactical brilliance well beyond his years. Through six intense rounds of competition, Oro has remained unbeaten—an extraordinary feat for a player of his age competing against seasoned international masters and grandmasters. He has notched one victory and held his own in five hard-fought draws, bringing his total to 3.5 points. While his score may appear modest amid the crowded leaderboard, the implications are historic: Oro is now just half a point away from achieving his third and final Grandmaster norm. Should he succeed in earning that final norm over the next few rounds, Faustino Oro would become the youngest player in chess history to receive the coveted Grandmaster title, surpassing legends such as Sergey Karjakin and Magnus Carlsen. His calm presence at the board, sharp intuition, and relentless focus has made him one of the most talked-about figures in the tournament. The sixth round was ceremonially inaugurated at the top board by Dr. Khalid Omar Al Midfa'a, Chairman of Al Thiqa Club for the Disabled, along with Omran Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee; Abdullah Murad Al Mazmi, Tournament Director; and Faisal Al Hammadi, Head of the Technical and Arbitration Committee. Dr. Al Midfa'a expressed his pride in attending such a distinguished international event, stating, 'Sharjah has consistently demonstrated excellence in hosting world-class championships. The game of chess, the sport of intellect, enjoys exceptional support in the Emirate thanks to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi and the presence of the world's largest chess club.' He added, 'This championship plays a vital role in elevating the level of Emirati players, enhancing their international ratings, and contributing to the overall development of our national teams. I extend my best wishes to the Sharjah Chess Club, under the leadership of Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Hamid Al Qasimi, for continued success in future editions.' As the tournament enters its final three rounds, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to what has become one of the most competitive and internationally respected events on the global chess calendar.
Sharjah 24
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Sharjah 24
Three chess players tied for first place in Sharjah Masters
Aleksandar Indjic of Serbia, Anish Giri of the Netherlands, and Dai Changren of China are at the top of the leaderboard. A member of the UAE national team and the Sharjah Chess Club, Salem Abdulrahman, drew with Sava Vitušin while playing under the International Chess Federation (FIDE) flag. Meanwhile, a tie of 3.5 points exists between 13 players, while 14 players are currently on 3 points. The top boards were dominated by draws; on board one, Anish Giri drew with Aleksandar Indjic. On board two, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the tournament's top seed, and Adam Kozak of Hungary drew again. Elham Amar of Norway and Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran drew. Amin Tabatabaei of Iran lost to Dai Changren of China on board four, the first victory. All boards recorded a total of 20 draws in this round. Issa Hilal Al-Hazami, the chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council; Hussain Abdullah Al Khouri, the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chess and Mind Games Club; Omran Abdullah Al Nuaimi, the chairman of the championship's organising committee; and Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Humaid Al Qasimi, the chairman of the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club, attended the opening board matches of the fifth round. With 350 players from 60 nations, Issa Hilal Al-Hazami confirmed that the competition has a global aspect. According to him, the eighth edition's record-breaking attendance is a result of the exceptional work of the championship's working teams, members, and the club's board, which is headed by Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Humaid Al Qasimi. He continued by saying that everyone has a big obligation to keep up this high level of organisation, which is comparable to international chess events. He also emphasised the championship's many organisational, administrative, and technological advantages, as well as the priceless experience it provides national staff. Additionally, the competition takes place during the Year of Community in 2025. The Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club's participation in so many different countries is in line with the subject of the year. Since the championship is televised in several languages to a worldwide audience, the event also acts as a major marketing platform for the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Sharjah, highlighting its cultural and tourism appeal.
