Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival/ 30 years old in the service of smart people

Abu Dhabi, August 30 / WAM / The Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival continued to consolidate its position as one of the most prominent specialized sporting events at the region and the world, since its first in 1991, to complete in its 31th editions full of successes with successes and excellence, beating a group of the most prominent stars of the game at the regional and international levels.
The festival’s launch came under the name of the “First Cultural Complex Festival”, as the first version included 5 local championships for men, youth, juniors, and children, with the participation of 376 players of different ages and nationalities.
In 1992, the second edition of the festival witnessed a remarkable development, represented in adding a women’s championship, along with the basic tournaments, in response to the wide turnout of different Sunni groups, and an affirmation of the success of the first version.
The organizing committee worked to expand the scope of the festival, to include in 1993 its first international competition, with the participation of players from outside the country, specifically from several international chess schools, along with the UAE players.
1994 was a strategic turning point in the festival’s march, after its official approval within the agenda of the International Chess Federation, to be held annually under the name of the “Fourth International Chess Festival”.
The festival recorded a new qualitative leap in 1999, when it began to achieve a wide spread outside the country, and succeeded in establishing its position as a main station in the global chess agenda, thanks to the professionalism of organization and the diversity of events and the innovation of qualitative initiatives, including the inclusion of the “International Professors Championship”, which attracted a group of the most prominent chess players in the world, especially with the high value of prizes allocated to them.
Among the most prominent gains achieved by the festival throughout its history is that a large number of UAE players obtained the international classification, as well as direct contact with players belonging to different chess schools, which contributed to raising the level of the game locally, and highlighting the state’s capabilities to organize sports events according to the finest international specifications.
The festival has witnessed over its past years a continuous increase in the number of participants, as the thirtieth edition recorded a record with the participation of 2545 players and players from 67 countries, while the number increased in the thirty -first version to 3696 players from 84 countries, in confirmation of its global position, as the tournament witnessed direct coverage through the most prominent electronic platforms specialized in chess, including the International Federation, the Asian Federation, and the Arab Federation For the game.
The previous copies of the festival witnessed the participation of a group of prominent names in the world of chess, among them: Wang Hao (China), Snan Jogerov, Wiggeny Tomashavsky, Alexander Braidk (Russia), Anton Corpov (Ukraine), Ergon Irigisi (India), Basem Amin (Egypt), and Ray Robson (United States of America), in addition to the UAE star Salem Abdul Rahman. The current version was also distinguished by the participation of the great international professor Rawda Al -Serkal, and the Belarusian international professor Lazavic Dennis, who culminated in the “Professors Online” and “main competition”.
On the festival’s heroes, many names that left their mark on the coronation platforms emerged, including: Saeed Ahmed, Suhail Tayyib, Fouad Al -Taher, Nelson Mariano, Junior Antonio, Caltayev Mikhail, Dimitri Boucharov, Ashot Anastasian, Jashimov Fawjar, Basem Amin, Korubov Anton, Corinosov Igor.
His Excellency Tarim Matar Tarim, President of the Emirates Chess Federation, said that the festival is a prominent global platform and an important station in enabling the sons and daughters of the Emirates to keep pace with the global developments taking place in chess sport.
He stressed that the concerted efforts, close cooperation with the partners and supporters, and the sincere desire to preserve this sporting legacy, are major reasons for the festival’s continuity and development, and to continue to strengthen its position at the regional and global levels.

For his part, Hussein Abdullah Al -Khoury, President of the Abu Dhabi Chess and Mental Games Club, confirmed that the festival witnessed qualitative leaps throughout its history, since its inception in 1991, thanks to the great efforts made by the successive club departments, up to the 31st edition, which was supported and sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
He explained that the festival is not limited to attracting the elite stars of the game worldwide, but is also keen on developing the capabilities of the people of the state through the local championships held on the sidelines of the event, which makes it a comprehensive platform to develop the game and enhance the base of its practitioners.
In turn, Dr. Ismail Ibrahim Al -Khoury, Assistant Secretary -General of the Asian Chess Federation, stressed that the continuation of the festival for more than 30 years and with continuous momentum confirms its distinguished position within the global agenda of the game, pointing to its pivotal role in strengthening the regional and international presence of mental sport.

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