Latest news with #SharjahMasters
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
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
350 players to compete in Sharjah International Chess Masters Championship
The eighth edition of the Sharjah International Chess Masters Championship has achieved a historic milestone, attracting a record-breaking 350 male and female players from 60 countries. This marks the highest number of participants in the tournament's history, reflecting its growing prestige and global appeal within the international chess community. The Sharjah International Chess Masters Championship will be held under the patroinage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The championship, organized by the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club, will be held from May 16 to 26. The Organizing Committee of the Sharjah International Chess Masters Championship has announced the closure of player registration. Topping the tournament's rankings is Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the 2021 World Rapid Chess Champion. He was also a member of Uzbekistan's national team that won the Chess Olympiad and currently holds a FIDE rating of 2771. Abdusattorov previously won the fifth edition of the Sharjah Masters in 2022. The championship features 156 titled players competing in the main tournament for participants rated above 2500, including 69 Grandmasters and 16 International Masters. In the secondary tournament, designated for players rated below 2500, the field includes 8 Grandmasters, 35 International Masters, and 28 FIDE Masters. Meanwhile, the Organizing Committee, chaired by Omran Abdullah Al Nuaimi, continues to hold meetings to finalise all organizational, administrative, and logistical arrangements in preparation for the arrival of the international participants. Al Nuaimi expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi for his continued support of sports and athletes, particularly in the field of chess, and for generous patronage of the tournament. He affirmed that the committee's continued efforts are focused on delivering an event that reflects the high standards of the UAE and the Emirate of Sharjah, which has consistently excelled in hosting major international events. 'We take pride in our accumulated experience and the dedication of our national professionals,' he added. He further noted that the tournament enjoys global recognition, with many world champions keen to participate each year. 'We always strive to bring in the best and most competitive players to enhance the tournament's level, and the technical, administrative, and organizational benefits will undoubtedly be substantial,' he concluded.
Gulf Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship set to begin on May 16
The Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club has announced the launch of the 8th edition of the Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship. The Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship is being organised annually under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The tournament is scheduled to take place from May 16 to May 26, 2025, attracting over 350 rated players from around the world, including numerous Grandmasters (GMs), International Masters (IMs), and titleholders. In its recent board meeting chaired by Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Humaid Al Qasimi, the Club's Board of Directors confirmed the formation of the tournament organising committee. Imran Abdullah Al Nuaimi has been appointed as Chairman of the organizing committee, Abdullah Murad as tournament director, and Faisal Al Hammadi as chief arbiter and Head of the Technical Committee. Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Humaid Al Qasimi expressed his profound gratitude to Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi for his unwavering support of sports, especially chess, and his consistent patronage of the event. He emphasized that this prestigious backing places a significant responsibility on the organizers to maintain the championship's growing reputation on the international chess circuit, with Sharjah's name now resonating prominently across the global chess community. He further thanked the Sharjah Sports Council for its ongoing support, highlighting that hosting high-profile tournaments contributes immensely to the technical development of players, the administrative and organizational capacities of officials, and the nurturing of a highly skilled cadre of national arbiters and organizers. Sheikh Dr. Khalid also noted that this edition of the Sharjah Masters has witnessed an unprecedented response, with over 350 registered players to date, including a large number of Grandmasters, International Masters, and past champions. Registration remains open, and the remarkable turnout underscores the tournament's significant status within the FIDE-rated global chess calendar.
