Abu Dhabi: Chess grandmasters among the 400 players in the open tournament – News

Prizes of up to 3,000 dirhams will be awarded to winners in different categories

Three grandmasters among 400 players from more than 20 nationalities will be up for grabs during an open chess tournament in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

The tournament is organized by the Indian Islamic Center Abu Dhabi in association with the Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games.

Arkadij Naiditsch, the 84th-ranked grandmaster from Azerbaijan and former top-20 player, will be in contention among other big names, said Bogdan Garbea, head coach of Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games.

“Naiditsch is a good player. There will also be other great teachers. There will be two age categories: Under 16 years old and open to everyone. The open category is classified by FIDE. “It will be a Swiss 9-round blitz chess system with time control,” Garbea said during a press conference.

Saeed Ahmad Al Khoori, CEO of Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games, said the club founded in 1979 will continue to organize such tournaments.

“We have over 1,000 registered members and more new centers are opening in Abu Dhabi.”

KV Muhamed Kunhi, general secretary of the Indian Islamic Center Abu Dhabi, said it was his first chess tournament.

“We are excited. This tournament will be a celebration of strategy, intellect and sportsmanship, where players of diverse backgrounds and skill levels will come together to demonstrate their prowess on the chess board.”

While the under-16 category competition will take place between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., the open category qualified by FIDE will be from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The open category prizes include 3,000 ADH for first prize, 2,000 ADH (second), 1,000 ADH (third) and 1,000 ADH for the best player. The winners of the junior category will receive prizes ranging from 1,200 ADH (first) to 500 ADH for fifth place and the best player, respectively. All participants will receive certificates of participation.

[ad_2]