Latest news with #WGM
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Sport
- Al Etihad
UAE's Al Serkal ends Norway Chess Open campaign on a high
2 June 2025 00:33 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)UAE's rising chess star Rouda Al Serkal signed off with a flourish at the Norway Chess Open, winning three consecutive games to close out the prestigious tournament's General Masters category on a high in the city of 15-year-old showed remarkable resilience over nine gruelling rounds on her debut in the tournament as a wild card entry. If the column of victories are a parameter to measure success, she notched a hat-trick and yet, the Emirati Woman GrandMaster (WGM) chose to reflect on the wins that got three wins, two draws and four losses, Al Serkal's overall performance was a promising show of potential. After a frustrating start, she found her first win in the seventh round and then went on to take the next two as well. Her ability to rebound and finish strongly added a healthy dose of character and composure to her international journey.'Eventually I just found my footing,' Al Serkal said on the sidelines of the event at its conclusion on Sunday. 'I stopped overthinking, focused on basics, and trusted my training. Once that happened, things began to click.'I was honestly hoping to gain around 100 rating points,' the 15-year-old lass 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.'Fresh off a strong campaign at the Asian Individual Women's Championship in Al Ain two weeks before the tournament 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 and who finished fourth overall – didn't go to loss, despite playing with white pieces, hit her hard. '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.'Al Serkal, who celebrates her birthday next month, steadied herself with a hard-fought draw the next day 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 a 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 the UAE's first Woman Grandmaster and a former world youth champion refused to give up. This time she managed to take advantage with white against Norway's home favourite Sigur Myny. She carried that momentum forward, beating Italy's Mauro Pivi, and capped her campaign off with a composed victory over France's Franck Gouanelle.'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 as well. '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 concurrently in Stavanger, world No.1 and local superstar Magnus Carlsen and reigning two-time Women's World Rapid Chess champion Koneru Humpy were leading in the open and women's sections respectively after five rounds with the sixth still in progress on Sunday evening.
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Chess: UAE star Rouda Alserkal makes history in Norway
Rising UAE star Rouda Alserkal made history on Tuesday by making her debut at the Norway Chess Open tournament. The 15-year-old, who became the UAE's first Women Grand Master (WGM) early this year, marked a new era for Emirati female chess players with her maiden appearance at the prestigious Norwegian chess tournament. Rouda put up a spirited display against her Ukrainian opponent Platon Galperin on Tuesday, but her efforts were not enough as Galperin recorded a 1-0 victory. 'It is sad not to start with a win,' Rouda said. 'But it was also incredibly valuable. Playing at this level is intense, and I know I'll grow from this.' While winning and losing is part of the sport, Rouda's participation in the high-profile event will give her invaluable experience as she looks to improve her game. 'It's been an incredible journey for me so far – one tournament at a time, learning from every game and gradually improving,' she said. '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 had already put the UAE on the world chess map by becoming the youngest player to earn the Women Grand Master title. '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.' Madland also felt Rouda's success will inspire more Emirati girls to chase their dreams in life. '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,' Madland said. Rouda is now expected to face more top-level opponents in the next rounds. 'I'm just getting started,' she said. 'It's an honour to be here, and I'm going to fight hard every game.'
Mid East Info
27-05-2025
- 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.'
Time Business News
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Business News
The Bape Hoodie: An Introduction
The Bape hoodie is one of those incredibly iconic items in streetwear. The A Bathing Ape hoodie, from the famous Japanese brand known popularly as Bape, comes straight from a well-known design. Since its invention, it has been serving urban fashion and the pop culture scene. Characterized by its patterns and features like signature camouflage, bold designs and certainly high-quality craftsmanship, this hoodie refers to the level of exclusivity, creativity and street style. Rising years later, it has come to win the hearts of every celebrity, artist and even streetwear fans worldwide. Furthermore, the house's culture of innovation along with a releasing strategy makes sure that each item is treated like a reclusive piece in the domain of fashions. Nego founded Bape in 1993, causing the label to fast gain a reputation for peculiar and ballsy streetwear. Among its flagship wardrobe items, the Bape hoodie embodies the audacity and sophistication of the brand's philosophies. Originally underground in Tokyo, Bape became an international phenomenon with stores located in New York, London, and Hong evolution of the Bape hoodie itself went through various stages of changing material, collaborations, and sometimes a little updating of the classics, but the hallmark stays preserved. It continues to influence street culture today and is widely recognized as a sign of independence and prestige. A Bape hoodie is known for its unique and innovative details. One of its energetic features has a full zip closure that goes over the face with shark, tiger, or panda art often depicted there. The signature camo, in all its various colors, is equally important in distinguishing Bape from other streetwear in the market. Embroidered accents, along with its bold slogans like 'WGM' (World Gone Mad), and luxurious cotton materials lend durability and a premium feel to the hoodie too. The Bape hoodie is then seen as distinctive because of these features, being therefore widely acknowledged and coveted by fashion lovers. The vitality and importance that Bape has brought to hoodies cannot be underestimated, especially in the realm of the music and entertainment industry. Here, several hip-hop artists like Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne are counted among popular representatives of Bape hoodies in public and musical videos to create interest in them. With their entry into the hip-hop scene, these hoodies have continued to gain reputations as high-status items. As found in other lifestyles, this hoodie has appeared on the bodies of athletes, actors, and social media authorities, thereby strengthening its relevance for modern-day fashion. A pop culture footprint so big makes it really necessary for anyone who appreciates fashion with a streetwear edge. Another cause for the premium cost of the Bape Hoodie is due to its scarcity. Bape is a brand that, unlike the others, does not manufacture large quantities of a certain design to create lots of overhead. Instead, a few pieces are made and released from limited collections so that only a handful of people will own the design. Because of the high-quality material used along with a little artistry found in the detailed work, also leads to hefty prices. Another source of value is the resale market, which enables such designs to resell at a price far higher than its retail because of scarcity. Thus, exclusivity, quality, and relished prestige of the brand will keep the Bape hoodie a luxury streetwear item. Wearing a Bape hoodie can be done in many different ways. Pair with distressed jeans and sneakers for a truly casual yet pretty chic look. Layering the hoodie under or under an oversized puffer or bomber coat adds dimension and it looks really even more relaxed style would be worn with joggers and high-top sneakers, giving this laid-back, urban look. The most important note when styling a Bape hoodie is to let it stand out boldly while complementing it with minimalist pieces from that will highlight its design. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
South China Morning Post
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Making chess fun: Nemo Zhou is an influencer and woman grandmaster on a mission
Nemo Zhou Qiyu's many guises include content creator, video game streamer and model, but it is her status as a WGM, or woman grandmaster, that is her superpower. Advertisement While the Chinese-born Canadian's online output features everything from poker to food, it is the clips showing her challenging people on the street to beat her at chess for cash that reveal her mission to help transform a sport. Zhou, 25, has spent this week live-streaming around Hong Kong, either side of visiting the local chess federation so that the city's best exponents – and a Post reporter – could play against her. 'My own goal is to show people that chess can be fun, and to encourage people to get into the game,' she said. 'Approach it with the mentality that you might not become the next [Norwegian grandmaster] Magnus Carlsen, and that's OK. Nemo Zhou takes on two Hong Kong chess players at once. Photo: Hong Kong, China Chess Federation 'Growing up in competitive chess, the mentality was always that if you're not this year's No 1-ranked player … you're a failure.
