Latest news with #SharjahMastersInternationalChessChampionship
Observer
7 days ago
- Sport
- Observer
Emad wins Bronze at Sharjah chess masters
MUSCAT: The Oman national chess team player Emad bin Said al Balushi has achieved a new milestone for Oman chess by winning the bronze medal in C category (allocated for players rated under 1900) of the Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship. The tournament was organised recently by the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club. The event saw broad international participation, with 111 male and female players from 26 countries, representing some of the most promising names in the sport. The competition was held over nine rounds using the Swiss system. Al Balushi managed to secure third place on the podium among a competitive field of players from top-tier chess schools. The Oman Chess Committee stated that this achievement reflects the growing level of Omani players on the international stage and aligns with its goals to refine young talents through international exposure, helping improve international rankings and strengthen Oman's presence in global chess tournaments. Emad al Balushi during the competition Emad al Balushi expressed great joy at his accomplishment, saying "It was a very tough tournament, and I faced players from countries with long-standing chess traditions. There was a lot of pressure in the final rounds, but I focused on each match individually, stayed calm, and i was able to achieve positive results. This medal means a lot to me, and I consider it an important step in my sports career." Al Balushi added "I thank the Oman Chess Committee for their continuous support. I hope we get more opportunities to participate in international tournaments, as they help us grow and gain new experiences. My next ambition is to reach a 2000 international rating and compete for medals in even stronger tournaments." The Oman Chess Committee continues to support national talents through ongoing development plans, which include training camps, technical programs in cooperation with international coaches, and participation in both local and international rated tournaments. These efforts aim to prepare a new generation capable of representing the Sultanate in major competitions, in line with the goals of Oman's Vision 2040 for sports development.
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
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
‘Messi of Chess' graces Sharjah Masters, Giri and Indjic share 4th round lead
The eighth edition of the Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship, organised 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, welcomes Argentine chess prodigy Oro Faustino — widely known as the 'Messi of Chess' — among its distinguished participants. At just 12 years old, Faustino became the youngest player in history to surpass the 2300 Elo rating mark, breaking the previous record held by Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov by seven months. Faustino, who is making his first appearance in the championship, has remained unbeaten so far, scoring one win and three draws. He expressed his delight at participating in such a prestigious event, emphasizing that he is aiming for a new milestone and hoping to achieve an international title. He noted that the 'Messi' nickname serves as a great source of motivation, and he is always pleased when people draw parallels between him and Argentina's football legend Lionel Messi. 'I follow football in Argentina and I believe Messi is the greatest player in its history,' he said. 'But I don't have much time to attend matches due to my chess training and academic studies.' Faustino is scheduled to travel to Italy on June 1 to take part in a friendly match against Indian legend Viswanathan Anand, the youngest world titleholder in chess history. The match will be held on the sidelines of the 'Chess Routes' exhibition, which features 40 rare and original chess sets from Asia and Europe. Meanwhile, the lead in the Sharjah Masters shifted following the conclusion of the fourth round, with Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri and Serbian Grandmaster Alexsandar Indjic sharing the top spot with 3.5 points each. Ten players are tied for third place with 3 points. UAE star Salem Abdulrahman bounced back with a win over Uzbekistan's Mukhiddin Madaminov to raise his tally to 2.5 points. The fourth round of the championship was ceremonially opened on the top board of both the Masters and Challengers sections by Sheikha Ali Al Naqbi, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Culture, Media, and Youth Affairs at the Consultative Council of Sharjah, alongside tournament director Omran Abdullah Al Nuaimi. Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club and President of the Arab Chess Federation, also attended the matches and closely followed the proceedings. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Bridge Committee at the UAE Chess Federation, was also present as well. In the third category (rated 1900–1400), the round was officially opened by Engineer Talal Al Zaabi. Sheikha Ali Al Naqbi expressed her delight at visiting the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club and inaugurating the fourth round of the championship. She noted that the visit was part of a series of field visits to cultural and sports institutions in the emirate, and coincided with a world-class event that has attracted elite chess players from around the globe. She praised the club's organizational capacity and cumulative expertise in hosting top-level tournaments and hoped the event would yield medals and achievements that reflect positively on the UAE's sporting profile.
Gulf Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Mamedov becomes Kazakhstan's youngest GM, nine share lead at Sharjah Masters
Kazakhstan's Edgar Mamedov has become the first player in the history of the Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship to earn the Grandmaster title during the tournament itself. His achievement came in the third round of the event's eighth edition, currently being held at 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 championship features the participation of 350 male and female players from around the world. Mamedov's path to the title began with a strong victory in the first round against Ukrainian Grandmaster Ihor Samunenkov, followed by a draw in the second round against American GM Samuel Sevian. Mamedov is the country's first chess player to be a Grandmaster at 14. Despite a loss in the third round to Hungarian GM Adam Kozak, the Kazakh player had already secured his final required norm, thus officially earning the Grandmaster title. Meanwhile, the top of the leaderboard witnessed a shift after round three, with nine players now sharing the lead with 2.5 points each. The joint leaders include India's Visakh, Serbia's Aleksandar Indjic, Greece's Nikolas Theodorou, China's Dai Changren, the Netherlands' Anish Giri, Hungary's Adam Kozák, Belarus' Mikhail Nikitenko, Uzbekistan's Ortik Nigmatov, and Russia's Ivan Zemlyansky. A group of 23 players currently trail just behind with two points each. Round three of the tournament delivered a mix of tightly contested battles and pivotal results that have started to shape the course of the event. On board one, Serbian GM Aleksandar Indjic, a consistent performer so far, was held to a draw by Indian IM Visakh N R, who showed excellent preparation and defensive precision. The draw allowed both players to remain in contention without ceding too much ground. Over on board two, Chinese GM Dai Changren and Iranian GM Parham Maghsoodloo also split the point after a well-fought game. Both players demonstrated a deep understanding of the middlegame complexities, eventually simplifying into a balanced endgame where a draw was the natural outcome. The result keeps Maghsoodloo among the front runners, while Dai continues to build his impressive performance. A significant shift occurred on board three, where Dutch GM Anish Giri secured a vital victory over rising Indian star GM Pranav Anand. Giri, known for his elite preparation and endgame technique, capitalized on a minor inaccuracy by Anand in the middlegame to convert an advantage with clinical precision. This win puts Giri firmly in the mix at the top of the standings and adds momentum to his campaign. On board five, UAE's top Grandmaster Salem Abdulrahman faced a strong challenge from China's Zhu Jiner, one of the top female players in the field. The encounter was dynamic, with chances for both sides, but ultimately ended in a draw after balanced play on both ends. Salem's result reflects his steady form, as he continues to represent the UAE with distinction on home soil. Across the round, 20 matches ended in draws, highlighting the depth and parity of the competition. With many of the top seeds neutralizing each other, the tournament remains wide open, and every half-point is proving to be crucial. The third round was inaugurated on board one by Hisham Al Taher, Secretary-General of the Asian Chess Federation, alongside Faisal Khalid Al Nabouda, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at the Sharjah Cooperative Society, and Abdullah Murad Al Mazmi, Tournament Director. The third tournament, for players rated between 1400 and 1900, was opened by Najla Al Shamsi, Chairwoman of the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club for Girls, and Faisal Al Hammadi, Head of the Technical and Arbitration Committees. Taher expressed his satisfaction with the tournament's scale and quality, thanking Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Humaid Al Qasimi, President of the Sharjah Chess Club, for his guidance and leadership. He highlighted the event's strong international reputation, reflected in the large number of titled players participating. Nabouda reaffirmed the importance of Sharjah's continuous support for cultural and sporting events. 'We are proud to be sponsors of this championship and consistently present at major cultural and sporting forums in the emirate,' he said.
Gulf Today
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Sharjah Masters Chess C'ship off to perfect start
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the eighth edition of the Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship made perfect start on Saturday. Organized by the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club, the tournament features participation of 350 players from 60 countries, including 84 titled players with high international rankings. The championship carries a prize pruse of $75,000. The first round commenced on the top board in the presence of Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club and President of the Arab Chess Federation; Dr. Saif Salem Lakhreibani Al Nuaimi, Vice President of the UAE Chess Federation; Omran Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee; Mohammed Al Mudhahka, President of the Qatar Chess Federation and Vice President of the Arab Chess Federation; Hussein Al Shamsi, former Secretary-General of the UAE Chess Federation; along with several prominent sports officials. While the higher-ranked players largely asserted their dominance, the first round also witnessed several surprising outcomes. Nineteen players secured victories, while 44 games concluded in draws. Among the notable outcomes was the draw between top seed Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan, 2022 World Rapid Chess Champion, and India's S.P. Sethuraman on the first board. Iran's Parham Maghsoodloo, third seed and former World Junior Champion, drew with Indian player Aditya Mittal on the third board. UAE national team player and Sharjah Club representative Salem Abdulrahman was defeated by China's Dai Changren, while Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri, the second seed, claimed a win over Kazakhstan's Rinat Jumabayev on the second board. In the second tournament, for players rated under 2500, 59 competitors recorded wins in the opening round, while 23 games ended in draws. In the third tournament, featuring players rated between 1900 and 1400, there were 49 wins and 12 draws. Dr. Saif Salem Lakhreibani Al Nuaimi, Vice President of the UAE Chess Federation, expressed his satisfaction with the commencement of the eighth edition of the championship, which began in 2017 with just 50 participants and has grown steadily over the years to reach 350 players from 60 nations in the current edition. He remarked, 'The championship remains highly competitive and open to various outcomes. Sharjah has consistently demonstrated excellence in organizing this event with professionalism and distinction. The UAE Chess Federation remains committed to elevating the status of chess within the country, and this tournament serves as a global platform for intellectual competition and creative excellence among participants.' He further added, 'The presence of elite grandmasters across the various categories offers an invaluable opportunity for UAE players to engage, learn, and develop their skills, enhancing their capacity to compete at the highest levels.' He concluded by saying, 'The championship also contributes significantly to promoting the UAE and the Emirate of Sharjah, not only through the participation of players from 60 nationalities but also through the global broadcast of the event. The generous prize fund has undoubtedly played a role in attracting top players, thereby elevating the tournament's global standing.'
