10 players launch the “Minds Challenge” chess competition in Sharjah

The Minds Challenge Chess Championship for the Challengers category, organized by the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club under the auspices of the Sharjah Sports Council, began yesterday evening, with the participation of 10 players from 8 countries, and its competitions will continue until June 8.

The tournament witnesses the participation of an elite group of players, including 4 who hold the title of international professor and 6 who hold the title of federal professor, which enhances the technical level of the competitions and provides a unique opportunity for interaction and gaining experience, especially since the tournament is held in a full league system during which all players meet each other.

The club is represented in the tournament by players Safin Safarullah Khan and Abdul Rahman Al-Tahir, as part of the program to prepare the club’s players for the summer camp and upcoming benefits.

The opening of the tournament at the first table was attended by Faisal Al Hammadi, member of the club’s board of directors, director of the Sharjah International Chess Academy, Saif Mohammed Al Hammadi, member of the board of directors and financial director, Mamoun Saleh Al Dharous, executive director of the club, and a number of personalities.

The first round witnessed Thursday confrontations, which resulted in the victory of Egyptian Amir Moheb over Abdul Rahman Al-Taher, while Safin Safarullah Khan lost to Azerbaijani Aslanov and Omid, and Azerbaijani Hamidov defeated Shkabenko Pavel, who plays under the flag of the International Chess Federation, and Yemeni Bashir Al-Qadimi succeeded in defeating American Hakobyan Edward, while the only draw in the first round was between Zambian Sharon Rafael and Filipino Austin Jacob.

Faisal Al Hammadi, member of the club’s board of directors and director of the Sharjah International Chess Academy, stressed the importance of the tournament in developing the levels of players, thanking the Sharjah Sports Council for its continuous support and sponsorship of the tournaments and sports programs that contribute to enhancing the clubs’ progress and developing talents.

Al Hammadi said: “The Minds Challenge Championship represents an important step in the preparation program for our players, as it gives them the opportunity to interact with players of various levels and experiences, which reflects positively on the development of their technical and mental performance and enhances their readiness for future competitions.”

He continued: “We pay great attention to the file of nurturing talented people, and through these tournaments we seek to provide a competitive environment that helps players gain experience and build self-confidence, which contributes to preparing a promising generation capable of achieving achievements and representing the club and the country in the best way in various forums.”

He concluded his speech by emphasizing that the international participation and the great diversity in the nationalities of the participating players give the tournament added artistic value, and constitute an ideal opportunity for the club’s players to benefit from the diverse experiences and develop their levels in preparation for the upcoming competitions.